JPH10187391A - Output controller, outputting method and recording medium storing program that can be read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly cope with a request of an output timing in which output information is outputted by designating an output timing in which an output processing request is carried out and transferring a command that corresponds to the designated output timing together with output information to a prescribed information device. SOLUTION: A pointing device, etc., designates an output timing that should execute an output processing request on a screen toward a digital copier 3 that is an prescribed information device through a prescribed network NET with a designated screen shown on the display screen of each PC/WS 5 to 7. The CPU of each PC/WS 5 to 7 transfers a command that corresponds to the designated output timing together with output information to the copier 3 by a prescribed protocol through an interface. Thereby, it is possible to flexibly cope with the designation of an output timing of each user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an output control device and an output control method for processing output requests from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, and a computer readable program. It relates to a storage medium that has been used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has become possible to connect a plurality of computers and workstations (hereinafter, referred to as "PC / WS") to a printer, a file server, and the like via a network so that data and printer resources can be shared. It has become. As an application example of this technology, a plurality of PCs / WSs
A printer server system has been proposed in which one printer is shared by a plurality of users via a server having a function of queuing a print request job from the plurality of users.

[0003]

However, in the above-described printer server system, a print request job from the PC / WS is always queued on the server, so that a plurality of jobs are queued on the server. Then, a print request job newly issued from the PC / WS is queued at the end of the queue. Therefore, even if the user wants to print out urgently, the user must wait until all the processing of the jobs queued before that is completed.

[0004] This situation is particularly noticeable when a large number of users share a printer or when a large number of printouts are made for each job, and it takes a long time to complete the job. There was a serious problem of that.

A system for changing the job processing order based on a preset priority has also been proposed. However, in the unified management of the job processing based on the priority, even if a job conflict state can be avoided, the priority is not changed. If the data volume of the job to be processed is large, it is not possible to satisfy the request to output the job at the appropriate timing desired by the user as described above, and if there are many conflicting jobs, similarly, until the job is completed There is a serious problem that it takes a lot of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the first to fourteenth inventions according to the present invention to provide an output information in which the output timing is specified by each terminal device. Is managed individually for each specified output timing, so that an output job can be started at the optimal output timing specified by each user,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an output control device and an output control method capable of easily constructing an output environment capable of flexibly coping with an output timing specification of each user, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control device for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium. And a transfer unit for transferring a command corresponding to the output timing specified by the specifying unit together with output information to the predetermined information device.

[0008] A second invention according to the present invention is an output control device for processing output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium. Registering means for registering an output job for managing output information to be analyzed and received in a memory for each output timing, and monitoring output timing of each output job registered in the memory for receiving the output information. Management means for timely managing the start of output from the information device.

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the output timing is a command execution start time in the information device.

In a fourth aspect according to the present invention, the output timing is an instruction execution end time in the information device.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the output timing is a command execution start time zone in the information device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the time zone can be set arbitrarily.

[0013] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the output timing is a period during which no output job corresponding to the output request has been registered in the information device for a predetermined time.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the predetermined time can be arbitrarily set.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the information device has a function of printing the output information.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of timing modes for specifying different output timings at which the output processing request is to be executed, and the specifying means selects and specifies one of the timing modes. .

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control method for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium. And a transfer step of transferring a command corresponding to the specified output timing together with output information to the predetermined information device.

A twelfth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling transfer of an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, A computer readable program including a designation step of designating an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed, and a transfer step of forwarding a command corresponding to the designated output timing to the predetermined information device together with output information. Is stored in a storage medium.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output control device for processing output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium. Registering an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a received command in a memory for each output timing, and monitoring the output timing of each output job registered in the memory to monitor each job. And a management step of managing the start of output of the output information corresponding to the information device from the information device.

A fourteenth invention according to the present invention is a storage medium storing a computer readable program for processing output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium. A first registration step of registering an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a command transferred from each terminal device for each output timing; and a step of registering each output job registered in the memory. And a management step of monitoring the output timing and managing the start of output of output information corresponding to each job from the information device. The computer-readable program is stored in a storage medium.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information equipment control system to which the output control device according to the present invention can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, an information device of the present system includes a digital image reading section (hereinafter, referred to as a "reader") 1 disposed at an upper portion, and a digital image reader disposed below the digital image reading section 1 for printing out. A digital copying machine 3 including an image printing unit (hereinafter referred to as a “printer”) 2, a plurality of PCs / WSs 5 to 7, the digital copying machine 1 and a PC / W
A printer server 4 that is responsible for an interface with S5 is connected via a network NET.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of the digital copying machine 3 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. is there.

In FIG. 1, a document feeder 1 of a reader unit 1 is shown.
01 is the platen glass 1 one by one from the last page
The original is fed onto the platen 02, and after the original reading operation is completed, the original on the platen glass 102 is discharged. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the reader unit 104 starts moving to expose and scan the document. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105 to 107 and lens 108.
It is guided to a D image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 109.

The image of the document scanned in this manner is a CCD image.
Read by 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 6 of the printer server 4.

The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201, and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to image data output from the reader unit 1.

The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. The developer adheres to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassettes 204 and 205 and is conveyed to the transfer unit 206 to transfer the developer adhered to the photosensitive drum 202 to the recording sheet. . The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by discharge rollers 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in respective pins. When the sorter 220 is not set to sort, storage paper is stored in the uppermost bin. When double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is guided to the re-feed conveyance path 210 by the flap 209.

Further, when the multiplex recording is set, the recording paper is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path by the flap 209 so as not to be conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path is fed again to the transfer unit 206 at the above-described timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a control configuration of the reader unit 1 of the digital copying machine 3 shown in FIG.

In the figure, the image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by an A / D / SH unit 110 and is subjected to shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the printer server 4 via the I / F unit 113. The CPU 114 is the operation unit 1
The image processing unit 111 and the I / F 113 are controlled according to the setting contents set in step S15. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed and the copy is performed by the operation unit 115 is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process and transfers the image data to the printer unit 2. Such a CPU
The control program of 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an output control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the detailed configuration of the printer server 4 shown in FIG.

The printer server 4 is connected to the reader unit 1 via a digital interface, and includes a core unit 6, a hard disk 7, a file unit 8, a computer I / F unit 10, a LIPS formatter unit (formatter unit) 1.
1, a PS (postscript) formatter unit (formatter unit) 12 and the like. Also, computer I / F
The unit 10 is connected to the network NET and can communicate with external PCs / WSs 5 to 7.

The printer server 4 is connected to the network NE.
PD transferred from PC / WS5 connected via T
It has a function of queuing L data. At this time, the PDL data is stored in the hard disk 7.
The file unit 8 is connected to a magneto-optical disk drive unit 9. The file unit 8 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 6 and sets the compressed image data in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 9 together with a keyword for searching the image data. Stored on the stored magneto-optical disk (storage medium).

The file section 8 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core section 6, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses it. The transferred image data is transferred to the core unit 6. The computer I / F 10 is a PC /
This is an interface between the WSs 5 to 7 and the core unit 6.

The formatter units 11 and 12 are, for example, PCs
/ WS5 to develop the PDL data transferred to the printer unit 2 into image data that can be recorded. Core part 6
The core unit 6 includes a reader unit 1, a hard disk 7, a file unit 8, a computer I / F unit 1
0, which controls the flow of data between the formatter units 11 and 12.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the core unit 6 shown in FIG.

The image data from the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 126 via the I / F 123, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is
124. The data processing unit 126 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 126 responds to a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. hand,
The data is transferred to the hard disk 7, the file unit 8, and the computer I / F unit 10 via the I / F 120.

When a print request command is sent via the computer I / F 10, the CPU 124 queues the request as a job via the queue management unit 121 in the queuing table 122, and sends the job at the same time. It is determined whether the PDL data is LIPS or PostScript as a page description language, and is transferred to the appropriate formatter units 11 to 12.

Thereafter, the PDL data is sent to the formatter unit 1
After being developed into image data by 1 and 12 and finally transferred to the data processing unit 126, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2 and printed out. After the image data from the file unit 8 is transferred to the data processing unit 126, it is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the computer I / F unit 10.

The CPU 124 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 125 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 125 is also used as a work area of the CPU 124. In this way, it is possible to perform processing combining functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from / to a computer, centering on the core unit 6.

In this embodiment, the PC / WS 5 to 7 and the printer server 4 use a group of data strings called packets as shown in FIG. Exchanging packets.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

The first invention is an output control device (each PC / PC) for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device (digital copying machine 3 in the present embodiment) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET). WS5 to WS7), and a designation means for designating an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed (a designation screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on a display screen of each PC / WS5 to 7). In the state,
A transfer device (designated by a pointing device or the like) and a transfer device (a CPU (not shown) for each of the PCs / WSs 5 to 7) that transfers a command corresponding to the output timing specified by the designating device to the predetermined information device together with output information. Via a predetermined protocol via
When an output timing at which an output processing request is to be executed by a pointing device is specified on, for example, a screen shown in FIG. 8, a command corresponding to the specified output timing is output together with output information to a CPU (not shown). Is transferred to the predetermined information device, so that it is possible to construct an output environment that can flexibly respond to a request for an output timing at which output information is to be output.

The second invention provides a plurality of terminal devices (each PC / PC) for a predetermined information device (digital copier 3 in this embodiment) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET).
An output control device that processes output processing requests from WSs 5 to 7) (provided on the printer server 4 side in this embodiment)
Registering means for registering an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a command transferred from each terminal device in the memory for each output timing (the CPU 124 of the core unit 6 stores the queuing table in the memory 125; And management means for monitoring the output timing of each output job registered in the memory and for timely managing the start of the output of the received output information from the information device (the CPU 124 of the core unit 6 operates in the memory 125 or An output job for managing output information received by the CPU 124 analyzing commands received from the PCs / WSs 5 to 7 and executing the control program stored in a memory resource (not shown). Are registered in the memory for each output timing, and the output timing of each output job registered in the memory 125 is registered. The output start of the output information received by the CPU 124 from the digital copier 3 is time-managed, so that the output timing of the output job that would otherwise conflict can be designated in a distributed manner according to the user's preference. Avoid timing conflicts,
An output environment in which an output job can be executed at an optimal timing designated by the user can be constructed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, since the output timing is the instruction execution start time of the information device, the output timing is determined based on the instruction execution start time corresponding to the current time of the information device. be able to.

In the fourth invention, the output timing is the instruction execution end time in the information device, so that the output timing can be determined based on the set instruction execution end time.

In the fifth invention, the output timing is set to the instruction execution start time zone in the information device, so that the output timing can be determined based on the set instruction execution time zone.

According to the sixth aspect, the instruction execution start time zone can be arbitrarily set, so that the output timing can be determined based on the arbitrarily set instruction execution time zone.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the output timing is a period during which an output job corresponding to an output request has not been registered in the information device for a certain period of time. Can be determined.

According to the eighth aspect, since the predetermined time can be set arbitrarily, the output timing can be determined based on an arbitrary idle time that is not registered in the output job.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, since the information device has a function of printing the output information, it is possible to print the output information at an output timing designated by the user.

The tenth invention has a plurality of timing modes for designating different output timings at which the output processing request is to be executed, and the designating means selects and designates one of the timing modes to minimize job conflicts. It is possible to avoid and distribute jobs over time. In addition,
The plurality of timing modes include a “start time” mode, an “end time” mode, a “night” mode, and an “empty time” mode, which will be described later, and are at least two of these modes.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a data string for performing mutual communication between the PC / WSs 5 to 7 and the printer server 4 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the structure of a packet is such that the destination network address is set at the beginning, and the source network address is set next. The actual packet data part 130 follows the frame size information of the packet. Finally, an error check such as a CRC called a tailor is attached to improve the reliability of data transfer. The packet data section 130 can contain arbitrary data, but is divided into a header section 131 and a data block section 132 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in this embodiment.

The header section 131 first has a header code 133 at the top indicating header information, and then a function code section 134 indicating what function the packet data has, and a single piece of data by a plurality of packets. Consecutive packet ID1 indicating the sequence number when configuring
35, a total packet ID 136 indicating the total number of packets, and a data length 137 indicating the data length of the data block unit 132 in which actual data is stored.

Further, the function code section 134
Is a function I indicating the type of the printer server 4.
D138, a job type ID 139 indicating the type of job for the printer server 4, and a job ID 140 for identifying a job to be executed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the data block 132 is used to store the command block 14 according to the job type ID 139 of the function code section of the header section.
1, status block 142, image data block 1
43, and one of the image information blocks 144.

Next, data processing at the time of a printing operation of the information device control system having the above configuration will be described in detail.

<Print designation on PC / WS5-7>
On the PC / WS 5 to 7, software for print output is operating, and the user checks a document on a display and uses a pointing device, a keyboard, or the like to use a pointing device, a keyboard, or the like to read a document and various image data (illustrations formed by vectors, The layout of a multi-valued image such as a natural image captured by a scanner or the like is directly performed.

When a multi-valued natural image is laid out on a document image, it is possible to add a masking process to the image using a binary bitmap image and crop the image.

An arbitrary document / multi-valued image data / binary bitmap mask image or the like created in this way is
/ WS5 to 7 are registered as needed. Then, when the user designates printing at the time when one layout is completed, a screen 150 for setting a print request as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display.

FIG. 8 shows a print request setting screen 1 displayed on the displays of PCs / WSs 5 to 7 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a reference numeral 50.

In the figure, the user specifies a printer to be used on the screen 150, a file name to be output, the number of output copies, and the like, and a timing mode for output by the printer.

This timing mode means that the printer unit 2
The print start time 152, the print end time 153, the night print 154, and the idle time print 155 in the above. 151
Is not specified.

Here, the night printing 154 is to start printing within a night time zone preset in the printer server 4. In addition, idle time printing 15
5 indicates that if no job is queued in the main queuing table 160 (see FIG. 9) of the printer server 4 for a predetermined period of time, the job designated at this timing is queued and printed. Is to start. If the user desires printing as soon as possible, the user selects no designation. In this case, the job is unconditionally
And the printing can be performed earliest among the above-mentioned timing designations.

<Transmission of Print Job> When the user has completed the specification on the print request setting screen 150, the PCs / WSs 5 to 7 communicate with the printer server 4 next.

PC / WS5 to 7 are pre-set to PC / W
The network address of the printer server 4 registered in S5 to S7 is set to the destination address in the packet. In addition, a printer ID that is uniquely determined as an ID for identifying a function is set in the function ID 138 of the header section 131 shown in FIG. 6 to clearly indicate that the execution mode is related to the printer. Job ID 14
Since 0 has not yet been determined at this point, "0" is set, and a uniquely determined command ID indicating that the data block unit 132 is the command block 141 is set as the job type ID 139.

At this time, a print execution command is set in the data block 132 as shown in FIG. 7, and in the command block 141, the peripheral information such as the layout information of the print data, the number of output copies, the paper size, the sorter, etc. Control information, print timing, etc. are set. Also, the number of packets into which the image data block 144 is divided and sent after the command block is calculated from the image data size, and the total number of packets (including command packets) is calculated by the total packet I of the packet header section 134.
Set to D136.

Then, these packets are sent to the PC / WS5
7 to the printer server 4 continuously. In the continuous transfer of packets, some command packets are transferred first, followed by a packet of image data.
The continuous packet ID 135 during this time is from “0” to “total packet number−1” in order from the first command packet.
Take values up to.

<Job Registration in Printer Server> In the printer server 4, the core unit 6 separates the contents of the packet received from the PCs / WSs 5 to 7 into a header unit 131 and a data block unit 132. It analyzes that the content is a print request command and performs processing in accordance with the command.

First, the core unit 6 stores all image data in the data packet transferred after the command packet in the hard disk 7, and stores the image file I for management.
D is allocated and managed as an image file. continue,
The print request job is queued in the corresponding queuing table through the queue management unit 121 based on the print timing in the command block 141 of the command packet. At this time, the job ID assigned to the job is set in the job ID 140 in the header section 131 of the status packet returned to the PC / WS 5 to 7. Thereafter, print processing within the network is performed using the job ID 140 as an identification key.

Incidentally, before and after the description, the queuing table of the printer server 4 is configured as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows the printer server 4 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a queuing table of FIG.

As shown in this figure, the queuing table of the printer server 4 is divided into a plurality of tables.
The configuration is such that a plurality of print jobs requested by the user 7 can be registered. The distribution of jobs to these queuing tables is performed according to the flow of the flowchart in FIG. Hereinafter, the output control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure of the output control device according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

When a new job is sent from the PC / WS 5 to 7, the core unit 6 of the printer server 4 first estimates the time required for processing the job (print time), It is set to the job processing time 170 (1). This time is obtained as the product of the print time per standard document previously held by the printer server 4 and the total number of prints (the number of printed pages × the number of copies) of the job.

Next, the core unit 6 determines whether or not the print timing of the job is "not specified" in step (2), whether or not "start time is specified" in step (4), and "end time" in step (6). It is determined whether the process is “designated”, whether it is “nightly designated” in step (8), or otherwise, that is, “vacant time designated”.

If it is determined in step (2) that the status is “not specified”, the job type 164 of the job data 163 has an ID that uniquely indicates “no specification”, and the job processing start specified time 171 has "0" is set, and queuing is performed in the main queuing table 160. Further, the total job number 161 is incremented by 1, the total job processing time 162 is incremented by the job processing time 170 minutes (3), and the process is terminated.

If it is determined in step (4) that “start time is specified”, the job type 164 has an ID that uniquely indicates “start time specified”, and the job processing specified time 171 has a command block. The start time in 141 is set and queued in the start time designation queuing table 172 as a start queue. At this time, sorting is also performed in the order of the job with the earliest designated job processing start time 171 (5), and the process ends.

If it is determined in step (6) that the “end time is specified”, the job type 164 has an ID that uniquely indicates “end time specification”, and the job processing start specified time 171 has a command block 141 specified. Set the time calculated backward by the job processing time 170 from the end time in
End time designation queuing table 1 as end queue
Queue to 73. At this time, sorting is also performed in the order of the job whose job processing start designation time 171 is earlier (7), and the process ends.

If it is determined in step (8) that “night designation” is specified, the job type 164 has an ID that uniquely indicates “night designation” and the job processing start designation time 17
1 is set to “0”, and the queue is queued in the night designation queuing table 174 as a night queue. Further, the total job number 175 is added by “1”, and the total job processing time 176 is added by the job processing time 170 minutes. Further, as the scheduled total job processing start time 177, a time obtained by back-calculating the total job processing time from the end time of the night time zone held in advance by the printer server 4 is set (9), and the processing is ended. . That is, the scheduled total job processing start time 177
Means the final time of the job processing start for finishing all the night designated jobs within the night time zone.

On the other hand, in step (8), NO
If it is determined that it is “specified free time”, an ID that uniquely indicates “specified free time” is set in the job type 164, and “0” is set in the specified job processing start time 171.
The queue is queued in the idle time designation queuing table 177 as an idle time queue (10), and the process is terminated.

<Move Job to Main Queuing Table> The core unit 6, which has queued the job, moves the job between the queuing tables according to the flowchart of FIG. In the present information device control system, the only jobs executed are those queued in the main queuing table 160 shown in FIG. Therefore, depending on the lapse of time and the queuing state of the main queuing table 160, the main queuing table 1
It is necessary to move the job to 60.

This processing is newly performed for PC / WS5
7 is not only queued, but also immediately after the execution of the print job,
This is also performed at regular time intervals held in advance.
9, 165 indicates a job status, 166 indicates a job ID, 167 indicates an image file ID, 168 indicates the number of prints, and 169 indicates the number of printed sheets.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure of the output control device according to the present invention. Note that (11) to (23) indicate each step. Steps (11) to (13) correspond to the search processing of the start time designation queuing table, and steps (14) to (16) correspond to the search processing of the end time designation queuing table. 18)-(21)
Corresponds to the search processing of the queuing table designated at night time, and steps (22) and (23) correspond to the search processing of the queuing table designated at idle time.

First, the core unit 6 checks whether the job is queued in the start time designation queuing table 172 in the queue table 122 through the queue management unit 121 shown in FIG. 5 (11), and is queued. If it is determined that the job data
And the total job processing time 162 in the main queuing table 160.
Is compared with the total job processing completion time obtained from the addition of the current time, and it is determined whether or not the former was before the latter time (12). If it was determined that the former was before the latter time, All the jobs that meet this condition are moved to the main queuing table 160 (13)),
Otherwise, the process proceeds to step (14).

In steps (14) to (16), the core unit 6 subsequently performs the same processing as the above-described search of the start time designation queuing table for the end time designation queuing table 173. If the result of the comparison in this process is “false”, the process proceeds to step (17).

In step (17), the total job processing completion time of the job in the main queuing table 160 is within the night time zone held in the printer server 4 in advance, and the night time designation queuing table 174 If the job is queued, the process proceeds to step (18), and the scheduled job processing start time 177 in the nightly designated queuing table 174;
The job is compared with the total job processing completion time of the job in the main queuing table 160, and if the former is before the latter time, all the job data in the nightly designated queuing table 174 is main queued. Move to table 160 (19).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (18) that the former is later than the latter, the main queuing table 160 is searched for a job. Here, it is determined whether there is a job in the main queuing table 160 (20), and if it is determined that there is no job in the main queuing table 160, the first job in the nightly designated queuing table 174 is determined. The data is moved to the main queuing table 160, and the total number of jobs 175, total job processing time 176, and scheduled job processing start time 177 are reset based on the remaining job data (21), and step (2)
4) Proceed to the subsequent steps.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination is "false" in step (20), that is, if it is determined that there is a job in the main queuing table 160, the process proceeds to step (22) and thereafter.

The core unit 6 constantly monitors the status of the main queuing table 160 through the queue management unit 121. When a status in which no jobs are queued occurs in this table, the core unit 6 uses an internal timer. The duration of the leverage state is maintained (hereinafter, this duration is referred to as idle time). The idle time is reset to “0” when at least one job is queued in the table.

In step (22), the idle time becomes equal to or longer than the predetermined time previously held in the printer server 4, and the idle time designation queuing table 17
8 is queued in the main queuing table 16 if the answer is YES.
0 (23), and proceeds to step (24) and thereafter,
If O, that is, if no job movement has occurred, the process exits the processing of this flowchart from the branch of step (22).

When a job is moved to the main queuing table 160 at the end of the above series of search processing, the total number of jobs 161 and the total job processing time 162 in the main queuing table 160 are moved. The number of the added jobs is added (24), and the process returns to step (11).

As described above, the process of moving the job to the main queuing table 160 is performed not only when a new job is queued from the PCs / WSs 5 to 7 but also immediately after the execution of the print job is completed. And
This is also performed at regular intervals that are held in the printer server 4 in advance.

The main queuing table 16 described above
After completing the process of moving the job to 0, the core unit 6 searches the main queuing table 160. At this time, if a job is found in the table, the core unit 6 reads an image file ID from the job data, and reads an image data file registered in the hard disk 7 based on the image file ID. If the job cannot be found in the table, the process of moving the job to the main queuing table 160 described above is performed again at regular time intervals held in the printer server 4 in advance.

The core unit 6 that has read the image data file rasterizes the image data by using the LIPS formatter unit 11 and the PS formatter unit 12 as necessary, and then stores the rasterized data in the memory 1 based on the layout information.
25, the image data is laid out. Then, the laid-out image data is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the reader unit 1, and the printer output requested by the PC / WS 5 is performed. After that, when the print output is completed, the process of moving the job to the main queuing table 160 is performed again as described above.

In the description of FIG. 11, the night time zone used in the process of step (17) and the predetermined time used in the process of step (22) are determined by the printer server 4.
It is stated that these values are stored in advance, but these values can be freely set by the specific user from PCs / WSs 5 to 7. The specific user mentioned here is
The user whose count name and password are registered in the printer server 4 as the set value change permitted user.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects of the present invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

An eleventh invention is an output control method for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device (digital copying machine 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET). And a transfer step of transferring a command corresponding to the specified output timing together with output information to the predetermined information device by a CPU (not shown) of the PC / WS5 to PC7. By executing a control program stored in a memory resource such as a ROM or an external memory, it is possible to construct an output environment capable of flexibly responding to an output timing request for outputting output information.

According to a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable program for controlling transfer of an output processing request to a predetermined information device (digital copying machine 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET) is stored. A storage medium, comprising: a designation step of designating an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed; and a transfer step of forwarding a command corresponding to the designated output timing together with output information to the predetermined information device. And a computer readable program stored in a storage medium. That is, the embodiment of the present invention also includes an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to a process (not shown) is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and a CPU (not shown) reads and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code. Included.

The thirteenth invention processes output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices (PC / WS5 to 7) to a predetermined information device (digital copying machine 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET). A first registration step (step (1) in FIG. 10) of the output control apparatus for registering an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a command transferred from each terminal device for each output timing. ) To (10)) and a management step of monitoring the output timing of each output job registered in the memory and managing the start of output of output information corresponding to each job from the information device (step (FIG. 11)). 11) to (24)) are read out from the memory 125 or a memory resource such as an external storage device (not shown) by the CPU 124 of the core unit 6 and executed. Since the output timing of the output job to be output can be designated in a distributed manner according to the user's preference, it is possible to prevent the output job timing from conflicting and to execute the output job at the optimal timing specified by the user. An output environment can be constructed.

The fourteenth invention processes output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices (PC / WS5 to 7) to a predetermined information device (digital copying machine 3) via a predetermined communication medium (network NET). A first storage for storing a computer readable program in an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a command transferred from each terminal device in accordance with an output timing. Process (Step (1) in FIG. 10)
To (10)) and a management step of monitoring the output timing of each output job registered in the memory and managing the start of output of output information corresponding to each job from the information device (step (11) in FIG. 11). ) To (24)) are stored in a storage medium. That is, a program code corresponding to the steps shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource to be described later, and the CPU 124 of the core unit 6 uses the memory 125 or a not-shown storage medium from the storage medium storing the program code. Embodiments of the present invention include a mode in which data is read from a memory resource such as an external storage device and executed.

The configuration of a data processing program readable by the information device control system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the information equipment control system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside.
In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

According to each of the above embodiments, a plurality of PC / W
In the information device control system in which a plurality of users on S share one printer, jobs queued in the server are prevented from concentrating as much as possible, so that a print request from each user can be promptly executed. Further, when a device having a printing device is shared by a plurality of terminals, print output timing from the device can be designated from each terminal.

[0116]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, when the output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed is specified by the specifying means, the transfer means transfers the command corresponding to the specified output timing together with the output information to the predetermined information device. Therefore, it is possible to construct an output environment that can flexibly respond to a request for output timing at which output information is desired to be output.

According to the second aspect, the registering means analyzes the command transferred from each terminal device, registers an output job for managing output information received and registers it in the memory for each output timing, and registers the output job in the memory. The output timing of each output job is monitored and the start of output of the output information received from the information device by the management unit is timely managed, so that the output timing of the output job that would otherwise conflict with the user's preference. Therefore, it is possible to construct an output environment in which the output job can be executed at the optimal timing designated by the user, avoiding a situation in which the output job timing conflicts.

According to the third aspect, the output timing is the instruction execution start time in the information device. Therefore, the output timing is set based on the instruction execution start time corresponding to the current time of the information device. Can be determined.

According to the fourth aspect, since the output timing is the instruction execution end time in the information device, the output timing can be determined based on the set instruction execution end time.

According to the fifth aspect, the output timing is a command execution start time zone in the information device.
The output timing can be determined based on the set instruction execution time zone.

According to the sixth aspect, the instruction execution open time zone can be arbitrarily set, so that the output timing can be determined based on the arbitrarily set instruction execution time zone.

According to the seventh aspect, the output timing is a period during which the output job corresponding to the output request has not been registered in the information device for a certain period of time. Output timing can be determined.

According to the eighth aspect, since the certain time can be set arbitrarily, the output timing can be determined based on an arbitrary idle time in which no output job is registered.

According to the ninth aspect, since the information device has a function of printing the output information, it is possible to print the output information at an output timing designated by the user.

The tenth invention has a plurality of timing modes for specifying different output timings at which the output processing requests are to be executed, and the specifying means selects and specifies one of the timing modes. It is possible to avoid and distribute jobs over time.

According to the eleventh and twelfth aspects, an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed is specified, and a command corresponding to the specified output timing is transferred to the predetermined information device together with output information. Therefore, it is possible to construct an output environment that can flexibly respond to a request for an output timing at which output information is to be output.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, an output job for analyzing output commands received from each terminal device and managing output information to be received is registered in a memory for each output timing, and is registered in the memory. The output timing of each output job is monitored, and the start of output of output information corresponding to each job from the information device is managed. Therefore, it is possible to construct an output environment in which the output job can be executed at the optimal timing designated by the user, avoiding a situation in which output job timings conflict.

Therefore, the output job can be started at the optimum output timing specified by each user, and the output environment that can flexibly cope with the output timing specified by each user can be easily constructed. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information device control system to which an output control device according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a reader unit of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a core unit illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a data string for performing mutual communication between the PC / WS and the printer server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining detailed data of a data block shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print request setting screen displayed on the display of the PC / WS shown in FIG. 1;

9 is a diagram illustrating a queuing table of the printer server shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure of the output control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure of the output control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the information device control system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 6 core unit 7 hard disk 8 file unit 10 computer interface unit 11 formatter unit 12 formatter unit 121 queue management unit 122 queue table 124 CPU 125 memory 126 data processing unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An output control device for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a specification unit that specifies an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed; Transfer means for transferring a command corresponding to the output timing specified by the specifying means to the predetermined information device together with output information. 2. An output control device for processing output processing requests from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the output control device analyzes and receives a command transferred from each terminal device. Registering means for registering an output job for managing output information in a memory for each output timing; monitoring output timing of each output job registered in the memory and starting output of the received output information from the information device; An output control device, comprising: a management unit for performing timed management. 3. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output timing is a command execution start time in the information device. 4. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output timing is an instruction execution end time in the information device. 5. The output timing is a command execution start time zone in the information device.
Or the output control device according to 2. 6. The output control device according to claim 5, wherein the instruction execution start time zone can be set arbitrarily. 7. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the output timing is a period during which an output job corresponding to the output request has not been registered in the information device for a predetermined time. 8. The output control device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined time can be set arbitrarily. 9. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein the information device has a function of printing the output information. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of timing modes for designating different output timings at which the output processing request is to be executed, wherein the designation means selects and designates one of the timing modes. Output control device. 11. An output control method for transferring an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, comprising: a specifying step of specifying an output timing at which the output processing request is to be executed; Transferring the command according to the specified output timing to the predetermined information device together with output information. 12. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling transfer of an output processing request to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the output processing request should be executed. A computer readable program is stored, comprising: a designation step of designating an output timing; and a transfer step of transferring a command corresponding to the designated output timing together with output information to the predetermined information device. Storage medium. 13. An output control device for processing an output processing request from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the output control device analyzes and receives a command transferred from each terminal device. A first registration step of registering an output job for managing output information in a memory for each output timing; and monitoring the output timing of each output job registered in the memory and monitoring the output information corresponding to each job. A management step of managing the start of output from the device. 14. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for processing an output processing request from a plurality of terminal devices to a predetermined information device via a predetermined communication medium, the program being transferred from each terminal device. Registering an output job for managing output information received by analyzing a received command in a memory for each output timing, and monitoring an output timing of each output job registered in the memory to monitor each job. And a management step of managing the start of output of the output information from the information device corresponding to (i), wherein a computer-readable program is stored.