JPH08305589A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To allocate a resource suitable for a job provided newly with which a new function addition as well as version-up are properly met. CONSTITUTION: Each of job execution tasks started by a system control means 7 such as an IIT control means 40c, an IOT control means 41c, a FAX reception control means 46b, a FAX transmission control means 46c, a decompose communication 42a, and a decompose control means 43a registers a processed image processing function and a data input output from to a job specification registration table 6. A job control means 4 based on the information selects a task required for the execution of the job based on the content of the job to decide the execution sequence to decide whether or not the job is carried out. Furthermore, a dead lock by simultaneous execution of tasks is prevented by registering an exclusive condition limiting other task to the job specification registration table 6 during the execution of the image processing by each task.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for subjecting input image data to specific image processing, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions shared by a plurality of users. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a multifunction device capable of realizing a copy function, a fax function, a printer function and the like with one image processing device, various optional devices and applications can be selected. / The deletion can be changed according to the usage form of the user. In such an image processing apparatus, application software operating in the apparatus may be upgraded in order to improve performance and operability. For this reason, the control software that operates in this image processing device must have a structure that can support version upgrades and function additions, in consideration of consistency with software that is newly added as needed. ing.

For example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-301655, control programs corresponding to various optional devices installed in a copying machine are stored for each version, and the installed optional devices are stored. The control program can be selected according to the version number.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-261551, the complicated operation pattern of the copying machine is divided into a plurality of part jobs and registered in the ROM in advance.
One job is realized by a combination of the part jobs, and when a new function is added, it can be dealt with only by changing the part job.

In the case of an image processing apparatus that realizes such a multi-function, as described above, it is necessary to have a structure that can cope with version upgrades and addition of functions, and a plurality of users can simultaneously operate the image processing apparatus. It is necessary to support the simultaneous execution of jobs when used. As the simultaneous execution of a plurality of jobs, for example, a process of performing a copy process while storing a FAX received document in a storage device such as a memory can be considered. The possibility that such simultaneous execution of jobs can be executed by the device is such that resources allocated to each job (scanner, print processing unit, FAX transmission / reception unit, memory, disk, etc.) do not conflict with each other, or even if they conflict with each other. It depends on whether or not it can be used. Therefore, in order to enable simultaneous execution of jobs with limited resources, an appropriate resource allocation method needs to be installed in the apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, for example,
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-108381,
When allocating a resource to a job, if another job B wants to use the resource acquired by a certain job A, a resource allocation request is issued to the job A to acquire the resource, and the job A acquires the resource. When it is desired not to release the resource, a method of giving a refusal notice to the resource allocation request is adopted.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image processing apparatus (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-304655), the control program corresponding to each version of the option apparatus is sent to the main body of the image processing apparatus at the time of factory shipment. Since it has to be stored in advance, there is a problem that it is not possible to cope with the addition of a new optional device which is not predicted at the time of factory shipment.

Similarly, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-261551, a plurality of part jobs are preliminarily R-processed.
Since it has to be registered in the OM, there is a problem that when a new part job is provided, it is necessary to replace the ROM or change the control program.

Further, with respect to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-108381, which is related to resource allocation at the time of job competition, a plurality of jobs may be in conflict with each other. There is a problem in that simultaneous execution of complicated jobs is difficult because there is a possibility of deadlock of jobs when using the resources of. If new resources are added due to function additions or version upgrades, and jobs that use those resources can be provided, the jobs that can be provided conventionally and the newly added jobs conflict. Since the resource allocation policy of (1) cannot be clarified, there is a problem that simultaneous execution of jobs may be impossible, or even if it is possible, productivity may be significantly reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and can appropriately cope with addition of new functions and version upgrades, and even when new jobs can be provided, they are suitable for those jobs. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can allocate resources and can efficiently perform job processing even when jobs compete.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the invention of claim 1, a job storing an image processing function to be performed by each of a plurality of tasks and an input / output form of image data is stored. Based on a specification registration table, a job input unit that receives a job for the image data as a job request, a job specification registered in the job specification registration table, and the content of the job request received by the job input unit, A task selection unit that selects a task to be executed, a task execution order determination unit that determines the execution order of the tasks selected by the task selection unit, and a job by the task determined by the task execution order determination unit are executable. Job execution judging means for judging whether or not there is, and judgment by the job execution control means Based on the results, characterized by comprising a task execution control means for executing a job of the determined task by the task execution order determination means.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the image processing function and the input / output mode of data, the job specification registration table is provided with another task during execution of each of the plurality of tasks. Concurrent execution limiting means for storing the exclusive condition for limiting the operation of the job, and further for determining whether or not the currently executing job can be concurrently executed based on the exclusive condition for the task of the currently executing job. The task execution control means controls the simultaneous execution of jobs based on the judgment result by the job simultaneous execution judgment means.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, when registering the exclusion condition, an identifier for identifying the plurality of tasks or a category for classifying the plurality of tasks according to their characteristics. If at least one of the identifiers is specified and the job execution control means specifies a category identifier as an exclusion condition, the job execution control means restricts the operations of all tasks belonging to the category indicated by the category identifier. Characterize.

[0014]

According to the present invention, an independent task for each image processing function registers each processable image processing function and data input / output mode as a job specification in the job specification registration table. The task selection means selects a task to be executed based on the job specifications registered in the job specification registration table and the content of the job request received by the job input means. Then
The task execution order determination means determines the execution order of the tasks selected by the task selection means, and the job execution determination means determines whether or not the job by the tasks determined by the task execution order determination means can be executed. To do. Then, the task execution control means executes the job of the task determined by the task execution order determination means based on the determination result by the job execution control means.

By registering an exclusive condition for restricting the operation of another task while each task is executing its image processing, tasks that may compete for resources when jobs compete with each other Are mutually exclusive. Then, the job execution control unit determines whether or not the task required for the requested job matches the exclusion condition of the task that is processing the currently executing job, and if they match, , Wait for execution of requested job, and if they do not match, execute jobs simultaneously. As a result, new functions can be added and version upgrades can be appropriately handled, and even when new jobs can be provided, appropriate resources can be allocated to those jobs, and job conflicts can occur. Sometimes, it is possible to efficiently perform job processing.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A. Configuration of Example A-1. Block Configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, control panel 1
Receives operation instructions from the user and displays the operation status of the device. The panel control means 2 controls the control panel 1. Further, the job input means 3 receives the user's processing start instruction from the control panel 1, analyzes the image processing contents to be processed in the system by referring to the parameters and the like, treats it as a job, and controls the job control means. 4 sends the job request. Job control means 4
Receives an image processing job for image data input from the outside of the system, and determines executability, execution control, management, and the like. The memory 5 holds / stores image processing target data and system internal data, and a job / spec registration table 6 (described later) used by the image processing modules 40 to 49 and the job control unit 4 described later.
Area is assigned in advance. The system control means 7 controls the above-mentioned units and the image processing modules 40 to 49 described below.

The image processing modules 40 to 49 are for inputting / outputting image data and for performing specific processing on the image data. Each of the image processing modules 40 to 49 has a configuration in which addition / deletion is performed according to the needs of the user of the present image processing apparatus, and each module unit (module unit surrounded by a broken line in the drawing) System bus 11
It has a removable structure. Image processing module 4
0 is an image input terminal (Imag) that scans image information recorded on a paper medium and loads it into the memory 5 in the system.
e Input Terminal; hereinafter referred to as IIT) is a control module, and the paper medium to be scanned is the IIT device 4
0b Automatic Document Feeder (Automatic Document Feeder)
Feeder; hereinafter referred to as ADF) 40a, IIT device (scanner) 4 for scanning image information recorded on a paper medium
0b, ADF 40a, and IIT device 40b, and IIT control means 40c for interfacing with the panel control means 2, the job input means 3, and the system control means 7.

Next, the image processing module 41 is an image output terminal (hereinafter referred to as I) which prints the image data developed in the memory 5 on a recording sheet.
It is a control module, called recording paper, or OH.
IOT device 41a for printing image image data on a recording medium such as P film, finishing device 41b for performing sorting processing such as sorting, stacking, and stapling on the recording medium printed by the IOT device 41a, and IOT device 41a, finishing device The IOT control means 41c controls the panel 41b and interfaces with the panel control means 2, the job input means 3, and the system control means 7.

Next, the image processing modules 42 and 43
A decompose / emulation module that interprets print instruction data and text data sent from a host computer connected to the image processing apparatus, converts the data into image data, and writes the image data in the memory 5.
Perform decomposing corresponding to emulation modes such as C-PR201H, ESC / P, and HP-GL, and PDL (Page Description Language) such as PostScript (Postscript), and interface with the system control means 7. Decompose control means (hereinafter referred to as decomposer) 42
a, 43a and a font data management unit 42b.

Next, the image processing module 44 is a module for compressing / decompressing the image image data expanded in the memory 5, and controls the image compression / decompression device (hereinafter referred to as CODEC) 44a and the CODEC 44a. , An image compression control means 44b and an image expansion control means 44c which interface with the system control means 7.

Next, the image processing module 45 is an image data storage module for storing compressed / uncompressed image image data and text image data expanded in the memory 5 in a secondary storage medium, such as a hard disk or a RAM.
It is composed of a secondary storage medium (hereinafter referred to as a disk) 45a such as a disk, and an image storage control means 45b for controlling the disk 45a and for interfacing with the system control means 7.

Next, the image processing module 46 transmits / receives image data via the telephone line 631 and fetches the image data into the memory 5 in the system or sends the image data on the memory 5 to the telephone line 631. FAX transmission / reception module, which receives the fax image data sent from the other side facsimile apparatus 100 and the line control unit 46a which exchanges a protocol with the other side facsimile apparatus 100 through the telephone line 631, and loads it into the memory 5. The FAX reception control means 46 that handles the job as a job, issues a job request to the job control means 4, and interfaces with the system control means 7.
b, and the (compressed) image data expanded in the memory 5 is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 100 of the other party, and the system control means 7 and the panel control means 2 are also transmitted.
It is composed of FAX transmission control means 46c which interfaces with 0.

Next, the image processing modules 47, 48, 4
The host computer 10 has an interface with the host computers 101, 102, 103.
This is a host interface control module that takes in the image data sent from 1, 102, and 103 to the memory 5. The image processing module 47 is EtherNet
(Ethernet), Token Ring (Token Ring), Local Talk (Local Talk) Local Area Network (Local Area Network)
image data sent from the host computer 101 by controlling the LAN interface unit 47a and the LAN interface unit 47a, which transmits and receives a protocol via the interface 651 and interfaces with the host computer 101. Is stored in the memory 5, the job is treated as a job, a job request is sent to the job control unit 4, and the system control unit 7
And a host interface control means 47b for interfacing with the panel control means 2.

The image processing module 48 is RS-232.
The serial interface unit 48a for interfacing with the host computer 102 via C (653) and the like, and the serial interface unit 48a are controlled to capture the image data sent from the host computer 102 into the memory 5, and Treats it as a job, sends a job request to the job control unit 4,
It comprises host interface control means 48b for interfacing with the system control means 7 and the panel control means 2. Image processing module 49
Is a parallel interface unit 49a for interfacing with the host computer 103 via the Centronics (655) and the like, and controls the parallel interface unit 49a to load the image data sent from the host computer 103 into the memory 5. It is composed of a host interface control means 49b which handles it as a job and sends a job request to the job control means 3 and which interfaces with the system control means 7 and the panel control means 2.

A-2. Software Configuration Of the basic configurations described above, the panel control unit 2, the job input unit 3, the system control unit 7, the job control unit 4, and the IIT control unit 40c in each image processing module,
IOT control means 41c, decompose control means 42a,
Decompose control means 43a, image compression control means 44
b, image expansion control means 44c, image accumulation control means 45
b, FAX reception control means 46b, FAX transmission control means 4
6c, host interface control means 47b, 48
b and 49b are realized by software.
In this embodiment, the functional modules of the entire system operate on a real-time multitasking operating system (hereinafter referred to as RTOS).
It has a thread structure that operates independently on TOS. Therefore, each software module
It is processed in a time-sharing manner on a central processing unit (not shown). In the following, each of the above software modules will be referred to as a "task", and the II in each image processing module
The T control means 40c, the IOT control means 41c, the FAX reception control means 46b, the FAX transmission control means 46c, and the host interface control means 47b, 48b, 49b are collectively referred to as "job execution task".

The present image processing apparatus realized with such a configuration includes a job input means 3, a FAX reception control means 46b,
Host interface control means 47b, 48b, 49
The job request is sent by sending the job fetched by b to the job control means 4. The job received by the job control unit 4 provides a desired output of the user by sequentially executing some image processing modules (job execution system tasks). For example, in the copy job, the IOT control module 41 prints the image data captured in the memory 5 by the IIT control module 40 on a recording sheet. Further, the FAX transmission job performs a process of transmitting the image image data captured in the memory 5 by the IIT control module 40 to the facsimile apparatus 100 of the other party by the FAX transmission / reception module 46. Also, FA
The X reception job and the print job of the data sent from the host computer are processed by the FAX transmission / reception module
Alternatively, the image data taken into the memory 5 by the host interface modules 47 to 49 is expanded into image image data by the compression / decompression module 44 and the decompose / emulation modules 42, 43, and the image data is recorded by the IOT control module 41. Performs printing on paper.

As described above, the job requested by the system is realized by the connection of the image processing steps performed by the plurality of image processing modules. Here, these individual image processing steps will be collectively referred to as job steps. That is, a job is composed of a plurality of job steps, and each job step is provided by any of the image processing modules.

A-3. Job / Spec Registration Table Next, the job / spec registered by each job execution system task at the time of initialization processing will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the job / spec registration table 6 described above. In the figure, the job specification registration table 6
Is composed of a job step area 6a and a task spec area 6b, and is arranged in a shared memory area accessible by all tasks in the system. And all tasks are registered in this job / spec registration table 6
A binary semaphore 6c is provided to enable asynchronous access to a task, and a structure is adopted in which an access from another task is exclusive while the table of a task is accessed.

The job / step area 6a includes job execution system tasks (IIT control means 40c, IOT control means 41c, FA) activated by the system control means 7.
X reception control means 46b, FAX transmission control means 46c, decomposing control means 42a, decomposing control means 43.
a, host interface control means 47b, 48b,
49b, image compression control means 44b, image expansion control means 4
4c, jobs that can be provided by the image storage control means 45b)
This is an area for storing the contents of steps and the like. In the job step area 6a, the task ID of the own task, the name of the job step that can be provided, and the task IDs of other tasks that the own task does not want to operate at the same time during the job step processing (or task -Category; which will be described later), when each job execution system task performs initialization processing described later, the exclusion condition (mutal exclusive ID;
mutexID).

The job / step area 6 shown in FIG.
The “(task name)” and “control means (reference numeral in FIG. 1)” described in a are added for the purpose of description, and are not actually stored in the job / spec registration table 6. Is. Each control unit (job execution system task; IIT control unit 40c, IOT control unit 4) shown in FIG.
1c, FAX reception control means 46b, FAX transmission control means 46c, decomposing control means 42a, decomposing control means 43a, host interface control means 47.
b, 48b, 49b, the image compression control means 44b, the image expansion control means 44c, and the image accumulation control means 45b) have registered the column corresponding to the "control means (reference numeral in FIG. 1)" in the job step area 6a. Is represented. Further, the "job step name" is also stored at the time of actual storage, not by the character string shown in the figure, but by a code number or the like assigned to each character string. In FIG. 2, the job step area 6 is shown in a form that is easy to understand for explanation.
a is schematically illustrated.

Further, the task specification area 6b is adapted to store information peculiar to each job execution system task activated by the system control means 7. This unique information includes a task ID, the maximum number of jobs that the own task can process simultaneously, task port information, and the like. here,
The above-mentioned task port information applies each job execution system task to the model shown in FIG. 3, and inputs / outputs information such as input image data and output image data for each job execution system task called “task port (68)”. It is described for each port. Therefore, all tasks that perform job steps have one or more task ports 68, and each task port 68 has an attribute of any of input, output, and input / output, and image data to be input / output. The data format and must be specified. Therefore, in the task specification area 6b, the task port information,
That is, the total number of task ports used by each job execution system task, the input / output attribute of each task port 68, and the data type of image data input / output at the task port 68 are stored.

In FIG. 3, as an example, PostScript is used.
The task port information of the task 55 (task ID is 0x1100) that has the function of decomposing t (Postscript) is modeled. In this task 55, two task ports 68, 0 and 1, are prepared. And the text from the task port 68 number 0 (PostScri
pt) data is input (IN), and the image data output as a result of decomposing is output from the first task port 68. In this case, information 1a (n + 1) shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the job step area 6a, and task spec area 6b is stored in the task specification area 6b.
The information 1b (n + 1) shown in FIG. 2 is set.
Similarly, for other tasks, job step information and task specification information are registered in their respective areas.

B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described. B-1. System Initialization Process Next, the initialization process when the power of the system is turned on will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the initialization processing of the present embodiment. When the power is turned on, first, the system control means 7, the job control means 4, the panel control means 2, and the job input means 3 are activated.
Then, the activated system control means 7 performs an initialization process according to the operation flow shown in FIG.

After starting, the system control means 7 immediately checks the hardware installed in the system in step S10. At this time, not only the hardware installed at the time of factory shipment but also the option-added image processing modules 40 to 49 are checked, and the task of controlling the image processing modules 40 to 49 (software that provides control means) is performed. A task identifier (hereinafter referred to as a task ID) of the hardware module), an address indicating the substance of the task object, and the like are also acquired. Next, in step S11, each job execution system task group (IIT control means 40c, IOT control means 41c, FAX reception control means 46b, FAX transmission control means 46c, decomposing control means 42a) is executed based on the information such as the task ID. , Decomposing control means 43a, host interface control means 47b, 48b, 49b, image compression control means 44b, image expansion control means 44c, image storage control means 45b). After that, the system control means 7 waits for an initialization processing completion message from the started task in step S12.

On the other hand, each of the started job execution system tasks first performs an individual initialization process in step S100. This is, for example, a hardware module (IIT device 40b, AIT) controlled by each job execution system task.
The DF device 40a, the IOT device 41a, the finishing device 41b, the line control unit 46a, the LAN interface unit 47a, the serial interface unit 48a, the parallel interface unit 49a, the CODEC 44a, the disk 45a) are unique processes such as initial parameter setting and diagnosis. , Checks whether the job step to be provided by the invoking task is executable. If there is no problem in step S100, the process proceeds to step S102, and information regarding the job steps that can be provided is registered in the job specification registration table 6 as a job specification (described later). In step S103, itself enters a loop having an event that occurs asynchronously. Here, the TASK_AVAIL message is sent using the inter-process (thread) communication function (hereinafter referred to as IPC message) provided by the RTOS for the initialization processing completion notification. The system control means 7 uses this TASK
When the _AVAIL message is received, the above-described processing (S10 to S12) is repeated for all hardware, and when the activation of all tasks is completed, the system initialization processing is completed. When the system initialization process is completed, the job can be executed.

B-2. Flow of job specification registration Each job execution system task registers the above-mentioned information in the job specification registration table 6, and the detailed flow at the time of this registration, that is, FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of step S101 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is a library function or the like and is supplied to each job execution system task.

In FIG. 5, first, in step S20, the value of each parameter of the job specification to be registered by each job execution system task is checked. Next, in step S21, it is determined whether the parameters are valid. Then, when the validity of the parameter is confirmed, the determination result in step S21 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S22. Step S
At 22, the binary semaphore 6c is acquired in order to lock the job specification registration table 6. At this time, if acquisition of the semaphore 6c fails, that is, if the semaphore 6c is caught by another task, the process waits until the semaphore 6c can be acquired in step S22. Next, if the table can be locked by acquiring the binary semaphore 6c, steps S23 and S2.
4, while incrementing the variable i, the job step area 6a and the task specification area 6b
Each area of is searched from the beginning to find an unused area in which no task is registered. When an unused area is found, the judgment result in step S24 is "Y
ES ”, and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, parameters to be registered are set in the job step area 6a and the task specification area 6b, respectively. Next, in step S26, the job / spec registration table 6
To unlock (release the binary semaphore 6c) and terminate normally. On the other hand, when there is no unused area in each of the job / step area 6a and the task / spec area 6b, the determination result in step S23 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S27, and an error number indicating that Is set and the process ends in error. If the value of the parameter to be registered is incorrect in step S21, the determination result in step S21 becomes "NO", the process proceeds to step S28, an error number indicating that is set, and the process ends in error. .

B-3. Category designation when setting mutex ID Next, designation of mutex ID when registering a job specification will be described. In the job / spec registration table 6 shown in FIG. 2, there is an area for setting the exclusion condition mutexID in the job / spec area 6a. This is used for restricting the simultaneous operation of other tasks by other jobs when each job execution system task executes each job step. Here, the following items can be considered as requirements for controlling the simultaneous operation of other tasks.

A. This is a case where a hardware resource is shared with another task, and when two or more tasks use the resource at the same time, a malfunction may occur or the system may fail. This is, for example, the line control unit 46a.
In some cases, the FAX reception control unit 46b and the FAX transmission control unit 46c that share the same or the image compression control unit 44b and the image expansion control unit 44c that share one CODEC 44a operate simultaneously.

B. There is no sharing of hardware resources with other tasks, but resources related to storage media such as buffer memory and disks may compete with other tasks that run concurrently, and depending on the capacity of the storage media, resources may be exhausted. When a condition occurs and the job can cause a deadlock. This is more than one decomposer /
It is likely to occur in situations where the emulations are working at the same time. For example, in a system in which the capacity of the memory 5 is only two pages of the image data, when two of the host computers 101 to 103 make print requests separately, different decomposers 42a and 43a are used. Suppose that they processed their jobs at the same time. Under this condition, when the decomposers 42a and 43a of both sides render the image data of the front side of the double-sided output by using the memory 5 page by page at a certain point in time, respectively, Since the page buffer memory cannot be secured from the memory 5, the two jobs are in a deadlock state.

C. This is a case where it is necessary to prohibit simultaneous operations due to hardware or other restrictions on specifications. This is because, when the job step is executed at the same time as a task that requires a considerable amount of CPU power, due to the time restrictions of the protocol on the network 651 and the telephone line 631, the time restrictions of the response to the outside of the system, etc. This is the case when there is a possibility that it will not be possible to respond.

An exclusion condition is set in the mutexID in order to avoid falling into a state corresponding to the above items. mutexID is the task ID of the task that you do not want to operate simultaneously when executing the job step of the own task
Is set. At this time, if it is desired to restrict the operation of a plurality of tasks, the task I indicating a specific task
The category to which the task belongs can be designated without designating D.

At this time, it is necessary to adopt the classification method shown in FIG. 6 for the task classification. In the example shown in FIG. 6, all the tasks existing in the system are classified into five categories, the task IDs of the tasks belonging to each category are provided with a specific task ID band, and the tasks in the task ID band are assigned. ID numbers are assigned. For example, tasks such as a decomposer that perform some kind of image processing on text image data are classified into a category called DP task group 1, and task IDs of tasks belonging to this category include 0x1000 to 0x.
Values between 1fff are numbered. Therefore, task 5 (EMU-201H; task that emulates PC-PR201H) shown in FIG. 2 and task n + 1 (PDL-
Task IDs 0x1000 and 0x1100 are assigned to PS). These two tasks include
In order to avoid a deadlock state during job execution such as "2" described above, 0x1f is set as a mutual exclusion condition.
ff is set. This value has the meaning of restricting the simultaneous execution of all tasks belonging to the category of DP task group 1.

Similarly, the task 3 (CODE) in FIG.
R: image compression control means) and task 4 (DECODER:
The image decompression control means) mutates the task 3 (task ID = 0x2000) from the condition such as “1” described above.
The task ID of task 4 (task ID = 0x2100) is set in exID, and the task ID of task 3 is set in mutexID of task 4 as an exclusion condition.

Such exclusive conditions can be set for each job execution system task, and further, since they are registered in the job specification registration table in step S101 shown in FIG. 4, they are designed at the time of designing each task. It can be set by the designer in advance. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the simultaneous execution of jobs that may be caused by the conditions such as "1" to "3" described above, and even if a specific option module is newly added to the system. It is possible to avoid the risk of simultaneous execution of jobs. That is, since the control method of the task (control means) of the newly added option module is entered in the job / spec registration table 6, the job control means 4, the system control means 7, etc.
It is not necessary to program the control methods for all the tasks of the option module in advance. This means that the job control unit 4 does not affect a specific model, hardware, option group, etc., function addition / reduction by increasing / decreasing each job execution system task, version by job execution system task replacement. The effect of being able to flexibly deal with ups and the like is obtained. The details of the job exclusion process based on the mutex ID will be described in the section for explaining the operation of the job control unit.

B-4. Operation of Job Input Means Next, the job input means 3, the FAX reception control means 46b,
Host interface control means 47b, 48b, 49
b will be described in detail. These tasks are direct /
It has a function of indirectly inputting / understanding the image processing content instructed by the user in the system, handling it as a job, and issuing a job request to the job control means 7. Figure 7
As shown in, the image data input into the image processing apparatus has various input forms, and it is necessary to detect a job corresponding to each input form. In Figure 7,
A job input unit A (3) that detects an instruction from the control panel 1 provided in the image processing apparatus and an instruction from the system control unit 7 to issue a job request to the job control unit 4, and a FAX reception control. Job input means B (3b) for detecting the FAX reception from within the line protocol in response to a call from the telephone line 631 in the means 46b, and issuing a job request to the job control means 4; A job input unit that detects a print request from the host computers 101 to 103 that is input via the LAN 651, the serial interface 653, and the parallel interface 655, and issues a job request to the job control unit 4 accordingly. C (3c) is shown. Hereinafter, these three types of job input means (3, 3b, 3c) will be described in detail.

B-4a. Job Input Means A (3) The Job Input Means A (3) handles a user's instruction from the control panel 1 used in the user interface of the copying machine as a job. In the control panel 1, a parameter (reading magnification etc.) setting unit 110 for executing the IIT scan,
Parameters (recording paper size, sorter / stacker / staple instruction, etc.) setting unit 111 required to obtain a desired output result at the time of printing with IOT, FAX image transmission of image data scanned by IIT, and polling reception When a start instruction from a parameter (telephone number or the like of the partner machine) necessary for performing the setting and a start button 113 for instructing execution start after setting these parameters is detected, the parameter setting sections 110 to 11 are detected.
The job request is sent to the job control means 4 by referring to the necessary parameter from each of the two and using it as the job request parameter. For the job request, the message identifier JOB_REQ and the job request parameter are sent using the IPC message transmission.

Further, the system control means 7 monitors the storage state of system data required for FAX communication management reports, diagnostic information of various hardware, etc., at a stage where a certain amount of these system data is accumulated. Alternatively, when the start button is pressed by the user, the report creation parameter setting unit 23 sets the report creation parameters. The job input means A (3) handles these various report output requests as jobs, and in this case, issues a job request by referring to the parameters set by the report creation parameter setting unit 23.

B-4b. Job input means B (3b) The job input means B (3b) monitors the FAX protocol transmitted / received on the line control unit 630 to detect the FAX reception parameter, and the FAX reception parameter detection unit 24 in the FAX reception control unit 46b. It operates according to instructions from.
When the job input unit B (3b) detects the execution instruction from the FAX reception parameter detection unit 24, the job input unit B (3b) refers to the parameter necessary for FAX reception from 24, treats it as a job, and sends a job request to the job control unit 4. To do.

B-4c. Job input means C (3c) The job input means C (3c) is a LAN or a serial / parallel interface (650, 652, 65).
It operates according to an instruction from the host print parameter detection unit 25 which monitors the protocol with the host computer exchanged in 4) and detects the parameter at the time of print request. When the job input unit C (3c) detects the execution instruction from the host print parameter detection unit 25, the host print parameter detection unit 25 refers to the parameters required for the print processing requested by the host computer, and the job input unit C (3c) The job request is sent to the job control means 4.

B-5. Operation of Job Control Means Next, the job control means 4 causes the job input means 3 or the job input means B (3 in the FAX reception control means 46b).
b) or host interface control means 47
The operation when a job request event is received from the job input means C (3c) in B, 48b, 49b will be described in detail.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the job control means 4 when a job request event is received. IP
The job control unit 4 that grasps the job execution content by the job request event by the C message JOB_REQ.
First, in step S30, the variable j is set to the total number of job steps. Next, in steps S31 to S36, while incrementing the variable i, processing such as checking the presence / absence of job / step registration, whether job execution is possible, and whether exclusion conditions are met is executed. First, in step S31, it is determined whether the variable i has reached the variable j. Then, when the variable i has not reached the variable j, the determination result in step S31 is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is checked whether or not each job step required for job execution is registered in the job step registration table 6. That is, it is checked by searching whether or not each job step required for job execution is the job step name area of the job step area 6a in the job specification registration table 6.

If each job step required for job execution is registered in the job step name area of the job step area 6a in the job specification registration table 6, the determination result in step S33. Is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, it is determined whether the task providing the job step can currently execute the job step. This includes the job step area 6a
First, the task ID of the task that provides the job step is checked by checking the task ID area of 1., and the task specification area 6b is searched using the task ID as a key. Task specification area 6b
If there is an area with a matching task ID, the number of executed jobs of that task (the number of jobs currently being processed) and the maximum number of job executions (the maximum number of jobs that the task can process) Check the number). If the two values are the number of executed jobs <the maximum number of executed jobs, the task determines that the job step can be executed at the present time.

If the task providing the job step is currently executable, then step S
The determination result in 34 is "YES", and step S
Proceed to 35. In step S35, further mutex
Check ID exclusion conditions. For this check, the mutexID area in the job step area 6a in the job specification registration table 6 and the job control table 9 whose value is set in step S41 described later are used.
The job control table 9 has the structure shown in FIG. 9, and is a table that stores a job ID, a job status, an exclusion condition list, a total number of tasks that execute the job, information on each task, and the like. Jobs requested by the system are ordered by job identifier (hereinafter referred to as job ID).
Is called) and the jobs are registered in the job control table 9 in the order of the job ID. The job status is the execution status of each job at the current time (EXECUTING, PENDIN
G, HALTING, etc.) are stored. In the exclusion condition list, a list of mutexIDs registered in the job specification registration table 6 by the task that executes each job step that operates when the job is executed is stored as an array.

In step S35, jobs in execution (jobs whose job status is EXECUTING) in the job control table 9 are searched in order, and all the mute listed in the exclusion condition list of each job in execution.
Whether xID and the task ID of the task that provides the job step of the requested job match,
Also, the mu of the job step of the requested job
Whether the texID does not match the task ID of the task that provides all the job steps being executed, that is, the task of the job being executed in the job control table 9
[0] information-task ID stored in task [n] information
Check by matching with.

Next, in step S36, it is determined whether or not the conditions are met. At this time, the following conditional expression is used to determine whether or not they match. a. Whether (task ID providing the requested job step AND each mutexID in the exclusion condition list in the job control table) matches the task ID providing the requested job step. b. (The task ID of each task that is processing the job being executed AND the mutex of the requested job step
Whether ID) matches the task ID of each task that is processing the job being executed. If neither of the conditional expressions a and b is satisfied, the exclusive condition is not satisfied, and the job currently being executed and the job step of the requested job can be executed at the same time. Therefore, the determination result in step S36 becomes "NO", and the process returns to step S31.

Each of the above-described checks in steps S31 to S36 is performed on all the job steps constituting the requested job. If it is determined that all are executable, the determination result in step S31 is "Y
ES ”, and the process proceeds to step S37. Step S37
Then, the task port [0] to [n] information areas in the task specification area 6b of the job specification registration table 6 are referred to. The task port information of each task that provides a job step is checked from this area, and task ports between adjacent tasks are connected, but when connecting, the task port connection check shown below is performed. a. When the task port of the previous task and the task port of the next task are connected, the input / output flag of the task port of the previous task is OUT (or IN / OUT combined) and the input / output flag of the task port of the next task is IN ( Or I
N / OUT dual purpose) is selected. b. As a result of the above selection, the data types of the connected task ports need to match.

Next, in step S38, it is determined whether or not connection is possible. If a task port satisfying the above two conditions exists between adjacent tasks, the result of the determination in step S38 is "YES", and the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, the task port is connected. Next, as connection information, the task port number of the partner task connected to the task port of each task is registered in each area of the task [0] to [n] information in the job control table 9. Also, step S4
In 1, the exclusive condition mutexID of the task providing each job step is transferred from the job step area 6a in the job specification registration table 6 to the exclusive condition list in the job control table 9. If all tasks can be connected by the task port, step S
In step 42, the requested job is determined to be executable, and a job execution instruction is issued to each task.

Further, steps S33, S34, S36,
If the result of each check in S38 is "false",
The determination result in each step is "NO", and the process proceeds to step S39. In step S39, the requested job is rejected or put on hold (Pend). For example,
In the case of the job indicated by the job ID = 3 in the job control table 9, the task ID = 0x8100 matches the exclusive condition list of the job indicated by the job ID = 1, and simultaneous execution is impossible. So the job
The status is set to pending (PENDING). Specifically, job 3 is a job for compressing a scanned image image and transmitting by fax, and job 1 is a job for decompressing the FAX-received data and printing it out.
It is impossible to execute two jobs at the same time because the FAX transmission task and the FAX reception task share the public line. Also, job 4 is a job that prints out print data from the host into an image image by 201H emulation and prints it out, and job 2 is a job that prints out print data from the host by postscript decomposing, so the decomposers are mutually exclusive. It is impossible because the condition (0x1fff) to be met is satisfied.
When the processing of step S39 or step S42 described above ends, the processing ends.

B-6. Other Embodiments In the embodiment described above, the job / spec registration table 6
Is composed of two areas, a job step area 6a and a task specification area 6b. This is to enable one task to provide a plurality of job steps. If no such task exists, the job step area 6a and task
It is also possible to combine the spec areas 6b into one table. Further, it goes without saying that the category classification of the task ID shown in FIG. 4 can also be changed according to the characteristics of the system and the specifications of the implementation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the job execution control is performed on the basis of the information registered in the job / spec registration table 6, so that the job control appropriately corresponding to the addition of a new function or the version upgrade. Means can be realized,
Even when new jobs can be provided, appropriate resources can be allocated to those jobs, and job processing can be efficiently performed even when there is a job conflict.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, the job execution control is performed based on the information registered in the job / spec registration table, which is suitable for adding a new function or upgrading the version. Even if a new job can be provided, a job control unit corresponding to can be realized, appropriate resources can be allocated to those jobs, and job processing can be efficiently performed even when job conflicts occur. Benefits are obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a job / spec registration table according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a task port of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation at the time of system initialization processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of job / spec registration of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a category classification list of each task of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a job input unit of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the job control unit of this embodiment when a job is requested.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a job control table.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control panel 2 panel control means 3 job input means 4 job control means (task selection means, task execution order determination means, job execution determination means, task execution control means,
Job simultaneous execution judging means) 5 memory 6 job specification registration table 6a job step area 6b task specification area 7 system control means 40 to 49 image processing module (a plurality of tasks) 40a automatic document feeder 40b IIT device 40c IIT control Means 41a IOT device 41b Finishing device 41c IOT control means 42a Decomposition control means 42b Font data management unit 43a Decomposition control means 44a Image compression / decompression device 44b Image compression control means 44c Image decompression control means 45a Secondary storage medium 45b Image storage control means 46a Line control unit 46b FAX reception control unit 46c FAX transmission control unit 47a, 48a, 49a Host interface control unit 47b LAN interface unit 48b Serial Interface part 49b Parallel interface part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A job / spec registration table in which an image processing function performed by each of a plurality of tasks and an input / output form of image data are stored, a job input unit that receives a job for the image data as a job request, and the job. Task selection means for selecting a task to be executed based on the job specifications registered in the specification registration table and the content of the job request received by the job input means, and execution of the task selected by the task selection means Task execution order determining means for determining the order, job execution determining means for determining whether or not the job by the tasks determined by the task execution order determining means is executable, and the result of the determination by the job execution determining means. Based on the task execution order determining means based on the The image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a task execution control means for executing drive. 2. The job specification registration table comprises:
In addition to the image processing function and the data input / output mode, an exclusive condition that restricts the operation of another task during the execution of the job of each of the plurality of tasks is stored, and the task of the currently executing job is stored. A job concurrency determining means for determining whether or not a currently executing job can be concurrently executed based on the exclusion condition, and the task execution control means is based on the determination result by the job concurrency determining means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simultaneous execution of jobs is controlled. 3. When registering the exclusion condition, at least one of an identifier for identifying the plurality of tasks and a category identifier for classifying the plurality of tasks according to their characteristics is designated. 3. The job execution control means limits the operation of all tasks belonging to the category indicated by the category identifier when the category identifier is designated as the exclusion condition. Image processing device.