JP2000007194A - Printer, printing and controlling method, network system, printer server and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily grasp timing for placing paper by notifying a terminal equipment that a separate manual feeding printing job is registered and notifying information on the effect that paper is placed after the job is terminated, when the separate manual feeding printing job is registered when a manual feeding printing job is registered and requested. SOLUTION: Of information of job units stored in a control table stored in a RAM of a memory unit 130, whether paper feeding cassette information becomes 'manual feeding' or not, that is, whether a job is a manual feeding printing job or not is judged. In the case of the manual feeding job, a printing timer is started and a printing operation is stopped. At this time, when a manual feeding printing job operation is performed, a printing job is preliminarily not registered in the printer. When the manual feeding printing job is registered as a head job, non-existence of paper is displayed on a display because an empty sensor SE13E recognizes that paper does not exist in a manual feeding paper feeding port. After paper is set, a printing processing is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology in the fields of a printer, a print control method, a network system, a printer server, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been practiced to configure a network (LAN) by connecting a plurality of computers by lines to share resources. In many cases, printers are also connected to this network, and a small number of printers are shared by many users. When using a printer on such a network, a user can print an image such as a document, a drawing, or a photograph created on each computer or imported from another using a printer driver.

On the other hand, a printer connected to such a network is provided with several cassettes capable of storing several hundred sheets of paper, and special paper (for example, OHP paper) which is not frequently used. , Postcards,
It also has a manual feed port for non-standard size paper.

In order to execute a manual print job in a printer having a manual feed port, a user designates a manual print job and then places a sheet on the manual feed port. I have.

[0005]

In order to execute a manual print job in a printer used in a network environment, capable of registering a plurality of print jobs, and having a manual paper feed port, a user must use a personal computer (terminal). Device) to register a manual print job, and then the user places paper in the manual paper feed slot. If the print job to be executed is a manual print job, the printer executes printing on the paper placed in the manual feed port.

When a user registers a manual print job and places a sheet in the manual paper feed port, if a previously registered manual print job exists, the manual print job previously registered on the placed paper is used. Is executed. The previously registered manual print job is printed on different paper.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0008]

The above object is achieved by the present invention having the following arrangement.

[0009] [Solution of the First Invention] In a printer which is connected to a terminal device having a display unit through a network and has a manual paper feed port, when a registration request for a print job is made from the terminal device, the registration request is issued. First determining means for determining that the set print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual feed port, and if the manual print job is included in the registered print jobs, A second determining means for determining that there is, and when both the determination by the first determining means and the determination by the second determining means are satisfied,
First notifying means for notifying the terminal device which has issued the registration request of the manual print job that there is another registered manual print job, and a printing operation based on the registered manual print job. When both the judgment by the third judgment means and the judgment by the second judgment means and the judgment by the third judgment means are satisfied, a request for registration of a manual print job to be executed next is made. A second notification unit configured to notify the terminal device of information indicating that a sheet is to be placed in the manual sheet feeding port.

A second aspect of the present invention is a printing control method for a printer having a manual paper feed port connected to a terminal device having a display unit through a network. A first determining step of determining, when a job registration request has been made, that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; A second determining step of determining that there is a manual print job among the registered print jobs, and a case in which both the determination in the first determining step and the determination in the second determining step are satisfied;
A first notification step of notifying the terminal device that has issued the manual print job registration request that there is another registered manual print job, and a printing operation based on the registered manual print job. When both the judgment by the second judgment unit and the judgment by the third judgment unit are satisfied, a registration request for the next manual print job to be executed is made. A second notification step of notifying the terminal device of information indicating that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed port;
A printing control method, comprising:

"Means for Solving the Third Invention" Network
In a network system including a terminal device having a display unit connected to the network and a printer having a manual paper feed port connected to the network, the network system receives a print job registration request from the terminal device. If there is, a first determination function for determining that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port, and a registered print job If the second judgment function for judging that there is a manual print job therein, and the judgment by the first judgment function and the judgment by the second judgment function are both satisfied, another already registered hand A first notification function for notifying the terminal device that has issued the manual print job registration request that there is a manual print job, and a printing operation based on the registered manual print job. When both the third determination function for determining that the print job has been completed, the determination by the second determination function, and the determination by the third determination function are satisfied, a registration request for a manual print job to be executed next is made. A network system, comprising: a second notification function for notifying a terminal device of information indicating that a sheet is to be placed in a manual sheet feeding port.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a printer server interposed between a network to which a terminal device having a display unit is connected and a printer having a manual paper feed port. When there is a print job registration request from the terminal device, it is determined that the registration requested print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port. No. 1 judgment function, a second judgment function for judging that there is a manual print job among the registered print jobs, and judgment by the first judgment function and judgment by the second judgment function are both performed. A first notification function for notifying the terminal device that has issued the manual print job registration request that there is another manual print job already registered; Sign based on Third determining that the operation has been completed
When both the judgment function of the second judgment function and the judgment of the third judgment function are satisfied, the manual paper feed port is sent to the terminal device which has requested the registration of the next manual print job to be executed. A second notification function for notifying information that paper is to be placed on the
A printer server comprising:

[0015] [Solution of the fifth invention] A recording in which a program for a printer server which is interposed between a network to which a terminal device having a display unit is connected and a printer having a manual sheet feeding port is recorded. Medium, the program, when a print job registration request is received from the terminal device, the manual print that prints the requested print job using the paper set in the manual paper feed slot A first determination function for determining that the job is a job, and a second determination function for determining that there is a manual print job among the registered print jobs.
When both the judgment function of the first judgment function and the judgment of the second judgment function are established, the information indicating that another manual print job is already registered is transmitted to the manual print job. Notification to the terminal device that has made the registration request
Notification function, a third determination function for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed, and a second determination function
If both the judgment by the judgment function and the judgment by the third judgment function are satisfied, information indicating that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed slot is sent to the terminal device which has requested registration of the manual print job to be executed next. And a second notifying function for notifying the printer server of the above.

[0014] [Solution of the Sixth Invention] In a printer which is connected to a terminal device having a display unit through a network and has a manual paper feed port, when a print job registration request is received from the terminal device, the registration request First determining means for determining that the set print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual feed port, and if the manual print job is included in the registered print jobs, A second determining means for determining that there is, and when both the determination by the first determining means and the determination by the second determining means are satisfied,
First notifying means for notifying the terminal device which has issued the registration request of the manual print job that there is another registered manual print job, and a printing operation based on the registered manual print job. Determining that the print job is completed, a fourth determining unit that determines that the print job registered in the predetermined execution order is a manual print job, and a third determining unit. If both the determination and the determination by the fourth determination unit are satisfied, the terminal device that has made a request to register a manual print job registered in the predetermined print job execution order is sent to the manual paper feed port. And a third notifying unit for notifying information that a sheet is to be placed.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A digital copying machine usually has a function as a copying machine and a function as a printer. In this embodiment, in the case of a digital copying machine or simply a copying machine,
Unless otherwise specified, it focuses on functions as a printer of a digital copying machine, and is not substantially distinguished from a printer as far as it is.

Embodiment 1 System Overview FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. This system includes a network NW, a digital copying machine 1, a printer server computer PS, and a plurality of client computers CC1 to CC4. The printer server computer PS and the plurality of client computers CC1 to CC4 are connected via a network NW, whereby the client computers CC1 to CC4 and the printer server computer PS are connected.
Between or client computers CC1 to CC4
Data communication such as image data and various commands can be performed between the two.

The digital copying machine 1 is connected to a printer server computer PS, so that the digital copying machine 1 can perform not only normal functions such as copying of an original but also a client computer CC1 via the printer server computer PS. To print the image data received from CC4.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.

The digital copying machine 1 includes an image reader IR
And a page printer PRT and an external interface unit IU.

The main body of the image reader IR includes a scanning system 10 for reading a document placed on a document table glass 18 by decomposing the document into pixels, quantization of photoelectric conversion signals output by the scanning system 10 and various image forming modes. And a memory unit 30 that stores image data corresponding to the document.

An automatic document feeder (ADFR) 50, which is an additional device also serving as a document cover, is provided above the main body.
No. 0 is assembled to be openable and closable with its rear end as a fulcrum.

The scanning system 10 is a line scanning type image reading mechanism, and includes a document irradiation lamp 11 and a mirror 12.
Scanner 19 having fixed mirrors 13a, 13b,
A condensing lens 14, an image sensor 16 composed of a CCD array, and a scan motor M2 for driving a scanner 19
It is composed of The image signal processing section 20 and the memory unit section 30 will be described later.

The ADFR 500 discharges a document set on a document stacker 510 onto a document discharge tray 511 by a feed roller 501, a separating roller 502, a separating pad 503, an intermediate roller 504, a registration roller 505, and a transport belt 506. .

The ADFR 500 includes a manuscript scale 51
2. A document sensor SE50 for detecting the presence or absence of a document, a document size sensor SE51, and a discharge sensor SE52 are provided.

The page printer PRT includes a print processing unit 40 for outputting an exposure control signal, a print head 60 using a semiconductor laser 62 as a light source, a developing / transfer system 70A including a photosensitive drum 71 and its peripheral devices, and a fixing roller pair. And a circulating paper transport system 70C including a unit 600, etc., via the image data transferred from the image reader IR or via the external interface unit IU. A copy image is printed by an electrophotographic process based on the received image data.

At the bottom of the page printer PRT, two paper cassettes 80a and 80 capable of storing several hundred sheets of paper are provided.
b, paper size detection sensors SE11 and SE12, manual paper feed port 80c capable of storing OHP paper, postcards, and other non-standard-size paper; manual paper size detection sensors SE13;
A manual paper type detection sensor SE13Z and a paper feed roller group are provided.

Further, empty sensors SE11E and S11E for detecting the presence / absence of sheets in the two sheet cassettes and the manual feed port are provided.
E12E and SE13E are also provided.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1. FIG.

The control unit 100 includes nine CPUs 101 to 1
09 and these CPUs 101 to 109
Have ROMs 111 to 1 storing programs, respectively.
19 are provided. The CPU 106 is provided in the memory unit 30, and the CPU 109 is provided in the external interface unit IU.

The CPU 101 controls signal input and display from various operation keys on the operation panel OP. CPU10
2 controls each unit of the image signal processing unit 20 and
103 controls the driving of the scanning system 10. CPU 104
Controls the page printer PRT including the print processing unit 40.

The CPU 105 performs processing for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100 and setting the operation mode. Therefore, the CPU 105 performs serial communication with another CPU to transmit and receive commands and reports required for control.

The CPU 106 controls storage and reading of image information. The CPU 107 controls document conveyance by the ADFR 500. Then, the CPU 108 controls the sheet re-feeding unit 600.

The CPU 109 controls the external interface unit to receive image information from the printer server computer PS and transfer the image information to the memory unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the memory unit 30.

At the time of reading, the image data D2 read by the image reader IR is first stored in the input page memory 30.
Transferred to 1.

The image transferred to the input page memory 301 is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units and transferred to the code memory 303. Similarly, image data received by the external interface unit is also transferred to the input page memory 301, the image is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units, and transferred to the code memory 303.

At the time of printing, the compressed image in the code memory 303 is expanded by the expander 304. If image rotation is necessary, the image is rotated by a rotator in page units at the time of expansion, and the rotation and expansion are performed simultaneously. The decompressed image data is transferred to the output page memory 305.

At the time of image output, image data is transferred from the output page memory 305 to the print processing unit. The data transfer indicated by the thick arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4 is configured to be able to operate independently and in parallel with each other in order to improve the copy speed.
A transfer is performed.

The memory unit 30 is provided with a ROM 1
The CPU 106 controls according to the program stored in the CPU 16. Parameters necessary for operating the program are stored in the system RAM 126.

When the document image is temporarily stored, the code memory 303 is managed by a management table provided in the RAM 126.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the printer server computer PS. The printer server computer PS includes a CPU γ01, a memory γ02, and a hard disk γ04 for central control of the printer server computer PS.
Hard disk controller γ03 for controlling the
Hard disk γ04 for temporary registration of image data and storage of various data, client computers CC1 to CC
Network controller γ05 for controlling a protocol on network NW with C4, display γ
11, a display controller γ06 for controlling the display,
A display memory γ07, a keyboard controller γ08 for controlling input of a keyboard γ12, a mouse controller γ09 for controlling input of a mouse γ13, and image data described in a page description language or the like received from the client computers CC1 to CC4 is developed into a bitmap image. A raster image generator γ14; an I / F controller γ15 for controlling transmission and reception of image data and status information to and from the digital copying machine 1; a display γ11 for performing layout, editing, menu display, etc .; A keyboard γ12 and a mouse γ13 for inputting instructions from the administrator are connected and operated.

Client computers CC1 to CC4
Has almost the same configuration as the printer server computer PS.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the management table. When reading and compressing a document, it is necessary to manage image information on a job basis, so that a plurality of pages are divided and stored in a job. Therefore, the table has a table (T-2) for storing information in units of divided pages and a table (T-1) for storing information in units of jobs.

The job unit information (T-1) is a job ID
And information such as where the job registration status and page management information are stored, the designated number (number of copies), whether or not OHP and interleaf copy are set, a copy mode indicating paper feed port selection information, and the like. Also, page management information (T-2)
Stores the location of the compressed image data.

When reading image data from the input page memory 301 and compressing the image data, the CPU 106 controls the compressor 302 and creates compressed information in the code memory 303 while creating information in the management table. Store.

When outputting the image data, the compressed image data is read from the code memory 303 by the reverse operation. The information in the management table is deleted when the information of the corresponding page is read out normally and the copy of the number (number of copies) M specified by the operator is completed.

Next, the operation sequence of the digital copying machine 1 relating to the reading and receiving of print data and printing of the original document will be described with focus on the request command (Q), report (A), or data flow exchanged between the CPUs 101 to 106. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. In the figure, “Q” indicates “request” and “A” indicates “notification”.
Is an abbreviation that means

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a print data receiving operation from the printer server computer PS.

In the print data receiving operation, image data is transferred from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30.

First, C which manages the entire sequence
The PU 105 requests the CPU 106 for memory preparation. In response to this, the CPU 106 sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30 via the dual port RAM (DPRAM) 136 for the internal hardware.

When the preparation is completed after these settings are completed, the CPU 106 notifies the CPU 105 of the completion of the memory preparation. CPU 105 is CPU 106, 109
, The CPU 109 requests the printer server computer PS for data transfer.

When the data transfer preparation is completed in the printer server computer PS, the print data (image data) is transferred from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30.

When the transfer completion is notified from the CPUs 109 and 106, the CPU 105 requests the CPU 106 to compress the data. In response to this, the CPU 106 starts up each unit. As a result, the compression process is performed, and the code data is stored in the code memory 303.

When the compression processing is completed, the CPU 106 notifies the CPU 105 of the completion of the compression.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of the printing operation.

In the printing operation, image data is read from the code memory 303, and a copy image is printed on a sheet based on the image data.

The CPU 105 requests the CPU 106 to expand the data. The CPU 106 starts each unit.
As a result, the decompression process is performed, and the image data is written to the output page memory 305.

When the decompression process is completed, the CPU 105
It requests the PU 106 for a memory preparation request for reading image data from the output page memory 305. In response to this, the CPU 106 sets the bus connection state for outputting the image data D3 from the output page memory 305 to the print processing unit 40 to the internal hardware, and sets the rotation processing.

When these settings are completed and the preparation is completed, and the notification is received, the CPU 105
4 requests printing. CPU 104 to CPU 1
A paper feed report notifying the paper transport state is sent to the printer unit 05, and then the image data D3 read from the output page memory 305 is output to the print processing unit 40 and printing is performed.

When printing is completed, the CPU 106 and the CPU
104 sends a print completion report and an ejection completion report to the CPU 105. The CPU 105 receiving these reports gives a memory clear request to the CPU 106 as necessary.

Hereinafter, the operation of the digital copying machine 1 will be described in more detail with reference to flowcharts, focusing on the characteristic control of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a main flowchart of the CPU 105 for controlling the control of the digital copying machine 1.

When the CPU 105 starts (# B00), it performs initialization (# B01), sets an internal timer (# B02), and checks input data from another CPU (# B03). ), A mode setting process for determining an operation mode according to the operation content (# B0
4), reading processing (# B05), printing processing (# B0)
6), an output data set (# B07) for making the command wait in the communication port, other processing (# B08), and waiting for the internal timer (# B09) are repeatedly executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing step # B0 in FIG.
6 is a subroutine flowchart of a printing process of No. 6; In this subroutine, reading and switching of jobs relating to printing are performed.

When the printing process starts (# D00), in step # D01, the management table shown in FIG.
It is checked whether a job is currently registered in this table.

If no job is registered in the management table, it means that there is no job to be printed, and the process exits this routine (# D99).

If the job is registered in the management table, it is checked in step # D02 whether the job is a manual print job.

More specifically, of the job unit information stored in the table (T-1), it is determined whether or not the sheet cassette information (sheet inlet selection information) is "manual error". Based on this, it is checked whether the job to be executed is a manual print job.

If the job is not a manual job in this step ("NO"), the flow advances to step # D08 to set a print job in order to make the job at the head of the job queue in the management table in FIG. The ID is updated, and the print sequence of the job is executed next (# D09).

If it is a manual job in step # D02 (YES), the process proceeds to step # D05. Step #
In D05, the print timer is started and the printing operation is stopped. The print timer is a timer that stops entering the printing operation for a fixed time, and is set to 30 seconds. The time of 30 seconds is the time from when the user looks at the display to when the user goes to the printer. If this time is secured, it is not limited to 30 seconds.

In the next step # D06, it is checked whether or not printing has been permitted. This check is step #
After the printing operation is stopped by D05, the digital copier 1
Is determined based on whether or not the start button is pressed. If the print permission has been issued, the process proceeds to step # D08.

If print permission has not been issued, step # D07
To check if the print timer has timed out. If the check result is "NO",
The same operation is repeated instead of step # D01.

If the check result in step # D07 is "YES", the flow proceeds to step # D08 described above.

In the case where the manual print job operation is performed, the print job is not registered in the printer in advance, and when the manual print job is registered as the first job, the printer Will be described.

In this case, a manual print job execution instruction is issued to the printer with no paper placed in the manual paper feed port. At this time, the printer recognizes from the empty sensor SE13E that there is no paper in the manual paper feed port, and does not immediately execute the print sequence but maintains the hold state (at this time, it is determined that there is no paper). The user who has registered the manual print job is also displayed on the display of the user terminal device and notified,
Urge the user to put the paper).

Thereafter, when a user who has registered a manual print job places a sheet in the manual paper feed port, the empty sensor SE13E detects that, and based on the detection result, the print sequence is held in a suspended state. Release and start execution of the print sequence.

[0098] Even if the print job is not a manual print job and there is no paper for executing the print job, the empty sensors SE11E and SE12E provided in the two paper cassettes provide the same operation as described above. Will work. Of course, the user who has registered the print job is displayed on the display of the user terminal device to notify the user that there is no paper, and the user is also urged to put paper.

The setting of the print timer can be performed on the screen of the printer driver as illustrated in FIG. On this screen, the “print timer” is the setting part. The initial value is set to, for example, "30 seconds", and the settable pause time can be adjusted from the initial value of "30 seconds" by pressing an up / down key in the frame.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 106 (memory unit).

When the operation of the memory unit is started (# F00), in step # F01, initial processing of this unit is performed, and an internal timer is set (# F02).

At step #F 03, a command requesting internal processing is received from the CPU 105. The received command is analyzed and determined in steps # F04 to # F08.
0 to step # F14 to check whether the internal timer has expired (# F09),
The operation from step # F02 to step # F09 is repeated at regular intervals.

In step # F10 "memory preparation", preparation is made to receive image data from the image signal processing unit 20 or the external interface IU.

Step # F11 "Reception of read data"
Then, preparation is made to receive read data from the CPU 102 at the time of copying. Receive when data comes.

In step # F12 "data reception", preparation is made to receive image data and a print mode from the CPU 109 at the time of printing. Receive when data comes.

In step # F13 "compression process", the image is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units.

In step # F14 “expansion processing”, the image compressed in the code memory 303 is expanded by the expander 304. Rotation processing by a rotator is also performed as necessary.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 109 (external interface unit).

When this routine is started by turning on the power (# G00), the external interface unit is initialized in step # G01. Next, the internal timer is set (# G02), and the process proceeds to step # G03.
In step # G03, the operation state of the digital copying machine 1 that has changed since the previous check is checked. In step # G04, it is determined whether or not the status checked in step # G03 exists.

Here, if "yes", step # G0
Go to Step 5 to analyze the contents of the status, and
In step 06, the status data to be notified to the printer server computer PS is converted into a SCSI format, and the flow advances to step # G07.

If the determination in step # G04 is "none", the process proceeds to step # G08, where the command received from the printer server computer PS is analyzed.

If the result of the analysis corresponds to the next check from step # G09 to step # G12, the flow branches to processing from step # G13 to step # G16.

In the "polling response" process of step # G13, a process of responding to the polling of the printer server computer PS and notifying the operating state of the digital copying machine 1 is performed.

In the "print mode setting" process of step # G14, a process for setting a printing mode, for example, the number of sheets, double-sided printing, magnification, etc., is performed.

In the "image data transfer" process of step # G15, the received image is transferred to the memory unit 30.

In the "job inquiry" process of step # G16, the status of the management table shown in FIG. 8 is notified to the printer server computer PS.

After performing these processes, step # G07
Proceed to.

At step # G07, it is checked whether or not the internal timer has expired, and this is repeated until the internal timer has expired.

When the internal timer expires, step # G02
, And repeat the following routine again.

"Overview of Printing Sequence" FIGS. 15 and 1
6 is a schematic diagram of a printing sequence of the network system. Here, these two figures are originally obtained by dividing a single figure into upper and lower parts by dotted lines, and lines extending downward from the printer server computer PS and the digital copying machine 1 are common * 1 and * 2, respectively. Indicates that it is connected to the line marked with.

Here, the sequence from when the user instructs printing on the client computers CC1 to CC4 until the print data is registered in the digital copying machine 1 and the sequence after the print data is printed from the digital copying machine 1 ,
The process until a status such as printing completion is displayed on the “status display application” operating on the client computers CC1 to CC4 will be described.

(A) Creation of Document The user creates / edits * 102 a target document using a document creation application * 101 operating on the client computers CC1 to CC4.

Document creation application program * 1
01 is usually the client computers CC1 to CC4
Is stored in a hard disk, and is loaded into a memory when required by a user, and is executed by being controlled by a CPU.

At this time, the document layout, print instruction information, and the like are displayed on a display using a display controller and a display memory.

The user's character input, image editing, print instruction, and the like are performed from a keyboard and a mouse, and the information is notified to the CPU via a keyboard controller and a mouse controller, respectively, and is processed.

(B) Activation of Printer Driver The document created by the document creation application * 101 is
The printer server computer PS translates the image data into a specific page description language so that the raster image generation unit γ14 can rasterize the image data,
In order to set various operation modes such as designation of a paper feed port and stapling and punching, a user operates the client computer CC1 to CC4 on the printer driver * 105 dedicated to the digital copying machine 1 described in this embodiment. Is loaded from the hard disk to the memory and started (* 10
3, * 104).

(C) Acquisition of Status Information The activated printer driver * 105 transmits the mechanical status of the digital copier 1 itself and the status of the registered job to the printer server computer P.
S and acquired via the network NW and each network controller (* 106 → * 107 → * 108 → *
109).

At this time, the printer server computer PS communicates with the digital copying machine 1 via the I / F controller γ15 (* 107), acquires the status of the digital copying machine 1 (* 108), and obtains the status of the printer server computer PS. Memory γ02 and hard disk γ04 in PS
Of the spooled job, etc., and notifies the client computers CC1 to CC4 via the network controller and the network NW (*
109).

(D) Setting of print mode On the printer driver screen (FIGS. 12 and 17), paper size, paper feed port, number of copies, presence / absence of sorting, presence / absence of double-sided printing, presence / absence of staple, presence / absence of punch, etc. Various printing operation modes are set (* 110).

However, according to the status information acquired in the above (c), setting of the printing operation mode in which setting is impossible is prohibited at this stage.

(E) Print Start After the print mode setting (* 110) is completed, the user starts printing (* 1) with the document creation application (* 101).
11) is specified. In response, the document creation application (* 101) sends the printer driver (* 105)
Is instructed to start printing (* 112).
The printer driver (* 105) notifies the print mode set in (d) to the printer server computer PS via the network and each network controller (* 113).

On the other hand, if the print server computer PS determines that the print job can be received, it notifies the return printer driver (* 105) of permission of printing (* 115). The printer driver (* 105), which has received the reception permission, transmits the image data to the printer server computer PS, and the printer server computer PS starts receiving the image data (* 116).

(F) Rasterization to Image Layout The image data output from the printer driver (* 105) is usually described in a page description language instead of bitmap image data. In order to print an image with the digital copying machine 1, the image is converted into a bitmap data form that can be printed by the digital copying machine 1 (rasterization, *
117), and transfer to the digital copier 1 is necessary.

In the present embodiment, data (print mode information and image data) from the client computers (CC1 to CC4) is transmitted to the network controller γ1 in the printer server computer PS via the network NW.
0, which is analyzed by the raster image generator γ14 and drawn on the memory.

(G) Image Spool The image data that has been rasterized in (f) is temporarily stored (spooled) on the hard disk γ04 in the printer server computer PS (* 119).

Thus, regardless of the state of the digital copying machine 1, for example, even if a print job of another person is being printed, a print job from the client computers CC1 to CC4 can be accepted.

(H) Activation of Status Display Application When the printer drivers on the client computers CC1 to CC4 have completely transferred all print data from the document creation application to the printer server computer PS, the status display application program (* 127) Are client computers CC1 to CC
4 is loaded on the memory of the computer from the hard disk in FIG. 4 and started (* 128).

(I) Transferring a print job to a digital copier The printer server computer PS issues a job registration request to the digital copier 1 at an appropriate timing (* 12
0), when job registration permission is received from the digital copying machine 1 (* 121), the spooled print job (print mode information and image data) is transferred to the digital copying machine 1 (* 122, * 123).

The digital copying machine 1 performs printing in accordance with the received print mode (* 124).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the printer server computer PS.

When the printer server computer PS starts (# H00), it performs initialization (# H01) and sets an internal timer (# H02). This internal timer does not control the operation of the CPU but controls the operation of the printer server computer PS, and is on the order of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

After setting the internal timer, the subroutine "polling to copying machine"(# H03) is entered. This subroutine is shown in FIG. 19 described later. After exiting this subroutine, in step # H04, it is determined whether there is a job available to be registered in the digital copying machine 1 and there is a job to be sent from the printer server computer PS to the digital copying machine 1.

If this is "yes", step #H
In step 05, print data and image data are transferred from the I / F controller γ15 via a SCSI cable (not shown) and the interface 139 (FIG. 3).

When this step is completed, or if “NO” in step # H04, step # H06
Proceed to. In step # H06, it is checked whether or not a command has been sent from the client computers CC1 to CC4. If there is no command, the process proceeds to the next step # H09.

When the command is present, if the command requests a status, the status is sent to the client computers CC1 to CC4. This command is transmitted to the client computers CC1 to CC4.
If the request is to receive a print job from the client, a subroutine "receive print job from client" is executed.

In step # H09, the process waits for the internal timer to expire, returns to step # H02, and repeats the processing described above.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine in FIG.
It is a flowchart showing the content of step # H03 "polling to copying machine".

When this subroutine "polling to copying machine"(# J00) is entered, a timer is set in step # J01. With this timer, polling is performed for a fixed period of time (several seconds) in order to confirm whether the operation of the digital copying machine 1 is normally performed (the polling here is to periodically check the status to confirm the connection). (# J03).

In steps # J04 and # J05, completion of reception of the status sent from digital copier 1 is checked, and status reception is repeated until completion.

At step # J06, the received status is analyzed, and a subroutine "update management table in server" to be described later is executed in accordance with the content, and then this subroutine is exited (# J99).

(J) Notification of end of printing The digital copier 1 operates the printer server computer PS.
When the printing of the print job transferred from is completed, the printer server computer PS is notified of the completion of the printing with status information (* 125).

The printer server computer PS updates the information in its own job management table, and notifies the client computers CC1 to CC4 of the update (* 126).

(K) Status Display When the client computers CC1 to CC4 are notified of the completion of the print job designated by the status information, the client computers CC1 to CC4 use the status display application (* 127) loaded on the memory γ02. It is displayed on the display (FIG. 20) (* 130).

The above description is mainly based on the client computers CC1 to CC4 and the printer server computer PS.
This embodiment has been described with a focus on the flow of information between the digital copier 1 and the digital copier 1.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing step # J0 in FIG.
7 is a flowchart of a subroutine “Update server management table” of FIG.

This subroutine determines that the previous manual print job has been completed, and notifies the user of the next manual print job to be executed of information that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed port. That is, the function of notifying the user of the next manual print job to be executed that the user can occupy the manual paper feed slot is notified of information indicating that paper is to be placed.

Therefore, only the user who next executes the manual print job puts the paper, so that the user of the manual print job can reliably execute the manual print job on his / her desired paper. Can be done.

Upon entering the server management table updating subroutine (step # K00), the management table in the printer server computer PS is updated based on the status information (paper feed port management table of the digital copying machine) received from the digital copying machine. Update is performed (step # K01), and the management table in the printer server computer PS is updated based on the management table of FIG. 7 (step # K0).
2).

At step # K03, it is checked whether or not the job at the head of the job management table has been completed, and if not completed, this routine is exited (# K9).
9).

If completed, the order of the job is advanced in step # K04.

In step # K11, it is checked whether the completed job is a manual job. If the check is "YES" (step # K11 "YES"), the flow further proceeds to step # K05, where the job management table Check if there are still manual jobs.

This check returns "YES" (step #K).
05 "YES"), the process proceeds to step # K12, and FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a display prompting the user to place paper in the manual paper feed port, such as "Please put paper in manual paper feed port."

A display shown in FIG. 24 or 25 can be displayed instead of the display shown in FIG.

The above step # K11 or step #
If the determination in K05 is "NO", the flow proceeds to step # K99 to exit this subroutine.

Here, step # K11 and step #K
05 may be modified to be performed in the reverse order (step # K11 after step # K05).
It is always determined whether there is a manual print job among the registered print jobs, and if YES is determined, it is determined whether the completed print job is a manual print job. Can be transformed.

The indications in FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, etc. are given immediately after the judgment of “YES” in step # K05, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the order of these judgments does not matter. , "Manual job completed" and "manual print job in job management table"
After the two determinations have been made, it may be immediately before execution of the manual print job, one job before, or several minutes before.

The paper feed port management table in the digital copying machine 1 includes a sheet empty sensor SE11E to SE13E for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet in the digital copying machine 1, and a sheet size detection sensor SE1 for detecting the sheet size / orientation.
1 to SE13 and automatically updated by information from the sheet type detection sensor SE13Z. Further, the paper feed port management table in the printer server computer PS is also successively updated with information from the digital copying machine 1.

As the paper type detection sensor SE13Z, for example, a sensor for detecting the distinction between OHP paper and plain paper as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 1-2201689 can be used.

The paper type detection sensor SE13Z includes, besides the one that detects the distinction between OHP paper and plain paper,
A sensor can be used to detect the difference between plain paper and colored paper, the paper printed on the back of the surface to be printed and the non-printed paper, so that these papers can be identified. .

FIG. 25 shows a printer server computer PS.
Shows a flowchart for receiving a job from client computers CC1 to CC4. Image data is received in print modes such as the number of copies to be printed, the number of copies, double-sided printing, magnification, and 2in1, and after analyzing the contents, addition to a job management table, rasterization of image data, and spooling are performed.

Entering this subroutine (# P00)
Then, in step # P01, the internal timer is set. This internal timer does not control the operation of the CPU but controls the operation of the printer server computer PS, and is on the order of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

At step # P02, print modes such as the number of copies to be printed, the number of copies, double-sided printing, magnification, and 2in1 are received. At step # P03, the printer driver is notified of content analysis and reception permission.

In step # P04, it is checked whether or not the job is a manual print job. If the job is not a manual print job, the flow advances to step # P07.

If the job is a manual job, the process proceeds to step # P05 to check whether a manual print job has already been registered. If not, the process proceeds to step # P06.

Since the fact that the manual print job is not registered means that the user can place the paper in the manual paper feed slot, the manual feed job is not supplied to the client which has requested the manual print job in this step. Notify that paper is to be placed in the paper slot.

If not registered, step # P07
Proceed to.

Hereinafter, in step # P07, a job is added to the management table, and the image data is received (# P0
8) This is rasterized (# P09), and the order of storing and printing the image data is set (# P10).

Thereafter, the internal timer expires (# P1
1) and then exit this subroutine (# P9
9).

[0158] In this flowchart, the order of determination in step # P04 and step # P05 may be reversed. In addition, it is always determined whether or not there is a manual print job among the registered print jobs. If YES is determined, whether or not the requested print job is a manual print job is determined. It can be modified to judge.

The display of step # P06 is performed after it is determined that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job and that another manual print job is already registered. Since the notification may be made any time before all of the registered manual print jobs are executed, such a modification can be made.

As mentioned above, FIG. 26 shows a job management table in the printer server computer PS.

In this table, the queue indicates the place where the job is registered. In this embodiment, up to four jobs can be registered in the engine, that is, the digital copying machine 1. “Owner” is one of the client computers CC1 to CC4, and indicates that the job is a job issued from now.

In this table, when the first job is completed, the order of the second and subsequent jobs is advanced.
The fifth job is registered in the digital copying machine 1. At this time, “01” is given to the job ID column of the fifth job. The job ID and “owner” are associated with each other. For example, when a jam occurs in the first job, the job ID is sent from the digital copying machine 1 to the printer server computer PS. Within the job ID and its "ow"
"owner" is inquired, and owner5 is notified of that (jamming).

The job management table and the paper feed port management table of the digital copying machine 1 (printer side) are constantly monitored by the printer server computer PS, and are reflected in the job management table and the paper feed port management table of the printer server computer PS. Therefore, the state of the digital copying machine 1 can be grasped on the printer server computer PS side.

[Embodiment 2] This embodiment 2 is a modification of the subroutine flowchart "update server management table" (FIG. 21) in embodiment 1 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 27 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 21 in that steps # K05, # K11 and # K12 are deleted, and steps # K15 to # K18 are included. Since there is no change in steps # K00 to # K04 and # K99,
Only steps # K15 to # K18 will be described.

After the job progress status in the job management table is updated in step # K04, the process proceeds to step # K1.
In step 5, it is checked whether the first job in the updated job management table is a manual print job. If it is a manual print job, step # K1
Proceed to 6. If it is not a manual print job, step # K17
Proceed to.

In step # K16, the manual print job client at the top of the job management table is notified that paper is to be placed in the manual feed slot. This is a difference print job. Please place paper in the manual feed slot. "

At step # K17, it is checked whether or not the second job in the updated job management table is a manual print job. If it is a manual print job, the process proceeds to step # K18. If it is not a manual print job, this routine is exited (step # K99).

In step # K18, the client at the second position in the job management table is notified that paper is to be placed in the manual feed slot. The order of the difference print job.
Place paper in the manual feed slot. ".

Thus, in the second embodiment, if another manual print job is registered when a manual print job is registered, it is not possible to place paper in the manual paper feed slot immediately after registration. do not do.

The timing of when the paper should be placed in the manual paper feed port after the manual print job is registered is as follows.

If the second print job to be executed is a manual print job, the terminal device that has registered the manual print job is notified of information indicating that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed slot. ing. That is, when a manual print job comes in a specific order in the execution order of the print jobs, the manual print job is executed next to the currently executed job for the user of the terminal device. At that point,
An indication that paper is to be placed in the manual feed slot is displayed.

The user, after seeing the display, recognizes that the manual print job will be executed soon and replaces the paper immediately, so that the manual print job can be printed on desired paper. .

In the above embodiment, the printer server PS is interposed between the digital copying machine 1 and the network NW.
The printer server computer PS notifies the client computers CC1 to CC4 of warnings and various information. The digital copying machine 1 is provided with the function of the printer server computer PS, and the digital copying machine 1 is directly connected to the network NW. It is of course possible that this is also within the scope of the present invention.

[0175]

The invention of each claim has the following effects.

[Effects of Claims 1 to 5] If another manual print job is registered when a manual print job is requested to be registered, another manual print job is registered. Is notified to the terminal device. To know that another manual print job has been registered on a terminal device that is located far from the printer, it is not possible to place paper in the manual paper feed slot of the printer immediately after registering the manual print job. No longer.

When the printing operation based on the registered manual print job is completed, information indicating that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed port is provided to the terminal device in which the manual print job to be executed next is registered. Is notified. That is, for the terminal device that has registered a manual print job that uses the manual feed slot next, when the manual feed slot can be used, a sheet is placed in the manual feed slot. Is notified.

The terminal device, which has been notified of the information indicating that the paper is to be placed, displays a display indicating that the paper is to be placed on the display unit. You can print a manual print job. When another manual print job is registered when a manual print job is registered and you cannot immediately place the paper in the manual paper feed slot, you can know when to put the paper. .

[Effect of Claim 6] If another manual print job is registered when a manual print job is registered, paper is not placed in the manual paper feed slot immediately after registration.

After registering the manual print job, it is possible to know when to place the paper in the manual paper feed port at the following timing.

If the second print job to be executed is a manual print job, the terminal device that has registered the manual print job is notified of information indicating that paper is to be placed in the manual paper feed slot. ing. That is, when a manual print job comes in a specific order in the execution order of the print jobs, the manual print job is executed next to the currently executed job for the user of the terminal device. At that point,
An indication that paper is to be placed in the manual feed slot is displayed.

Since the user recognizes that the manual print job will be executed soon after seeing the display, the user can immediately replace the paper and print the manual print job on desired paper. become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit 30.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a printer server computer PS.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a management table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of an original reading operation.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a printing operation.

FIG. 10 is a CPU 1 for controlling the control of the digital copying machine 1
It is a main flowchart of 05.

11 is a subroutine “print processing” in FIG. 10;
It is a flowchart showing the content of (step # B06).

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of the CPU 106 (memory unit).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 109 (external interface unit).

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence of the network system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence of the network system.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating one screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the printer server computer PS.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine “polling to copying machine” (step # H03) in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a status display application for completion of a print job by a client computer CC.
It is a screen displayed on the displays 1 to CC4.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine “update server management table” (step # J07) in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a screen displayed on the display of each of the client computers CC1 to CC4, which is a screen for urging the user to put paper.

FIG. 23 is a screen displayed on the display of each of the client computers CC1 to CC4, and is a screen showing a time until a manual print job is started.

FIG. 24 is a screen displayed on the display of each of the client computers CC1 to CC4, and is a screen indicating the start of a manual print job.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine “Reception of print job from client” (step # H08) in FIG. 18.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a job management table in the printer server computer PS.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a subroutine “update server management table” (step # J07) in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying machine 10 Scanning system 20 Image signal processing part 30 Memory unit part 40 Print processing part 60 Print head 80a, 80b Paper cassette 80c Manual feed port 84 Fixing roller pair 85 Discharge roller 100 Control part 101-109 CPU 111- 119 ROM 121 to 129 RAM 136 Dual port RAM (DPRAM) 500 Automatic document feeder (ADFR) PS Printer server computer CC1 to CC4 Client computer IR image reader PRT Page printer IU External interface unit NW Network SE11, SE12 Paper size detection sensor SE11E , SE12E, SE13E Empty sensor SE13 Manual paper size detection sensor SE13Z Manual paper type detection sensor SE50 Original document Sa SE51 document size sensor SE52 discharge sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G03G 21/00 396 G03G 21/00 396 G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 MF term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AQ06 AR03 AS02 AS13 HJ03 HJ07 HK07 HK19 HN17 HQ17 HR02 LL01 2H027 DA38 DB04 DB05 DC01 GA26 3F063 AA01 AB07 CA08 3F343 FA02 FB04 FB05 FC01 GA01 GB01 HA36 HB02 HC05 5B021 AA02 AA19 BB10 DD05 EE01 KK00

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A printer having a manual paper feed port, which is connected to a terminal device having a display unit through a network, and receives a print job registration request from the terminal device.
First determining means for determining that the registration-requested print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; A second determination unit that determines that there is a print job; and if both the determination by the first determination unit and the determination by the second determination unit are satisfied, another manually-registered print job that has already been registered is determined. First notification means for notifying the terminal device that has made the manual print job registration request that there is information, and third determination for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. Means, the judgment by the second judging means and the judgment by the third judging means are both established, the terminal device which has made a request for registration of a manual printing job to be executed next is sent to the manual feeding port by the paper feeding port. Notification of information to place A printer, comprising: a notifying unit. 2. A print control method for a printer having a manual paper feed port, which is network-connected to a terminal device having a display unit, wherein the print control method receives a print job registration request from the terminal device. If
A first determining step of determining that the registration-requested print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; If the second determination step of determining that there is a print job and the determination of the first determination step and the determination of the second determination step are both satisfied, another manually-registered manual print job is determined. A first notification step of notifying the terminal device that has made the request for registering the manual print job, and a third determination of determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. If both the step and the judgment by the second judgment means and the judgment by the third judgment means are satisfied, the terminal device which has made a request for registration of the next manual print job to be executed is sent to the manual paper feeding port. To put And a second notification step of notifying the information of the print control. 3. A network system comprising a network, a terminal device having a display unit connected to the network, and a printer having a manual paper feed port connected to the network. If there is a request for registration of a print job,
A first determination function for determining that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; If the second judgment function for judging that there is a print job, and the judgment by the first judgment function and the judgment by the second judgment function are both satisfied, another manually-registered manual print job is registered. A first notification function for notifying the terminal device that has made the request for registration of the manual print job, and a third determination for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. If both the function and the judgment by the second judgment function are satisfied, the terminal device which has made a request for registration of the next manual print job to be executed is sent to the manual paper feeding port. Notification of information to place A network system comprising an intelligent function. 4. A printer server interposed between a network to which a terminal device having a display unit is connected and a printer having a manual paper feed port, wherein the printer server is configured to execute a print job from the terminal device. If there is a request for registration of
A first determination function for determining that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; If the second judgment function for judging that there is a print job, and the judgment by the first judgment function and the judgment by the second judgment function are both satisfied, another manually-registered manual print job is registered. A first notification function for notifying the terminal device that has made the request for registration of the manual print job, and a third determination for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. If both the function and the judgment by the second judgment function are satisfied, the terminal device which has made a request for registration of the next manual print job to be executed is sent to the manual paper feeding port. Notification of information to place A printer server having an intelligent function. 5. A recording medium storing a program for a printer server interposed between a network to which a terminal device having a display unit is connected and a printer having a manual paper feed port, the program comprising: Is, when there is a print job registration request from the terminal device,
A first determination function for determining that the print job requested to be registered is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; If the second judgment function for judging that there is a print job, and the judgment by the first judgment function and the judgment by the second judgment function are both satisfied, another manually-registered manual print job is registered. A first notification function for notifying the terminal device that has made the request for registration of the manual print job, and a third determination for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. If both the function and the judgment by the second judgment function are satisfied, the terminal device that has made a request for registration of the next manual print job to be executed is sent to the manual paper feeding port. Notification of information to place A recording medium, which is a program for causing the printer server to perform the above-described function. 6. A printer having a manual paper feed port, which is connected to a terminal device having a display unit through a network, when a print job registration request is received from the terminal device.
First determining means for determining that the registration-requested print job is a manual print job for printing using the paper set in the manual paper feed port; A second determination unit that determines that there is a print job; and if both the determination by the first determination unit and the determination by the second determination unit are satisfied, another manually-registered print job that has already been registered is determined. First notification means for notifying the terminal device that has made the manual print job registration request that there is information, and third determination for determining that the printing operation based on the registered manual print job has been completed. Means, a fourth judgment means for judging that the print job registered in the predetermined execution order is a manual print job, and judgment by the third judgment means and judgment by the fourth judgment means. If both hold, A third notification unit that notifies the terminal device that has made a request for registration of a manual print job registered in the predetermined print job execution order, information that indicates that a sheet is to be placed in the manual paper feed port. A printer comprising: