JP2001287425A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user with a latitude for selecting a priority print while ensuring the effect thereof and to suppress power consumption substantially. SOLUTION: When a print request is received (S10), a user set priority is determined (S11). Point data of a user is cut in marks (S12) in case of priority print and the print request is stored in a priority queue 11a (S19) when the point is not deficient (S14). In case of normal print or when the point is deficient, the print request is stored in a normal queue 11b (S20). In case of waiting print, a decision is made whether the time point of receiving a print request falls within an effective time band of waiting (S8) and the point of the user is increased (S15) if it falls within the effective time band. Subsequently, a decision is made whether the print request is stored in a queue 11c or not (S10), and the receiving time is stored (S17) in case of a first print request. When other print request is stored, the processing quantity of a received print request is added to the processing quantity of not yet processed print requests which is thereby updated and the print request is stored in the queue 11c (S21).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus shared by a plurality of users and a printing method thereof, and more particularly to a printing apparatus capable of controlling the priority of a print request and a printing method thereof. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network system in which a plurality of users share a printing device such as a printer via a terminal such as an information processing device, a plurality of printing requests have been received.
It is known to operate a print queue for a print request with a high degree of urgency or a high priority (priority) so as to perform print processing prior to another print request.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-189174 discloses that while data having the earliest input order attribute is selected and output, if there is data to which an attribute for preferential printing is added, There is disclosed a method of controlling a plurality of print queues that output data in a targeted manner.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-129336 discloses that
If it is determined that there is a large amount of unprocessed data and it is to be waited for a while, another print is already performed by interrupting the print data that is higher in priority than the print data being processed at that time and performing print processing. However, a printing apparatus and a printing system capable of giving priority to urgent printing are disclosed.

[0005] Therefore, according to these prior arts, when an urgent printing process becomes necessary,
An urgent user who makes a print request first and waits in order can wait for the user to explain the reason one by one, or in some cases, stop the print request. Printing can be performed.

[0006] However, if the above-described priority printing process (hereinafter referred to as priority printing) is performed without limitation, only some users frequently perform priority printing, which may cause unfairness, or may cause a real priority. When printing is required, the order may not be easily reached, which may cause a problem. Further, when a print request is generated at random, there is also a problem that the standby mode (energy saving mode) is not easily set and power consumption is increased.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-83231 discloses that each user is provided with a predetermined score (for example, 1
When a user wants to change his or her print order for a print job that is in a print waiting state, he or she consumes the points (for example, 100 points per month). It is disclosed that the user can freely change the printing order as long as the user consumes points, but does not easily give priority to processing with low urgency due to the limited number of points. ing.

[0008] Regarding the power control described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 0-95146 discloses that even if a print request is issued, a print process is not performed immediately each time a print request is issued and a predetermined amount of print data is accumulated or a predetermined time elapses. On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, it has been proposed that the data stored in a hard disk or the like be collectively subjected to a printing process to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

The publication also discloses an operation means for forcibly performing print processing even when print data is not stored in a predetermined amount, and is capable of coping with a case where print processing needs to be performed immediately. It has been disclosed.

[0010]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-9 / 1998
In the apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 5146, the default is to perform the print processing immediately by providing the above-described operation means,
If a print request is designated for another urgent document that can wait for a print request, the number of designated users is reduced, and the effect of power consumption and the like cannot be achieved. In addition, there is a problem that it is extremely inconvenient to have to operate the operation means in spite of the necessity of making a print request immediately.

[0011] Further, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-83231, since the points are uniformly given to all users, it is desired that users who frequently perform priority printing want to increase the points. It is inevitable that a request will be made, and if the points are uniformly increased, the ratio of priority printing will increase as described above, and there is also a problem that the effect of priority printing is hardly exhibited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user with a priority printing range while achieving the priority printing effect. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of substantially suppressing power consumption while providing a printing apparatus.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a queue-managed printing apparatus which is shared via a host apparatus corresponding to a plurality of users, and which performs a sequential printing process based on the priority of print requests and the order of acceptance. A priority queue for performing print processing prior to another print request, a waiting queue for waiting for a predetermined amount of print requests to accumulate or for a predetermined time to elapse, and a queue for performing print processing collectively; Manages an index relating to the priority given in advance for each,
The printing apparatus includes a management unit that decreases the index for a user who has sent a print request to the priority queue and increases the index for a user who has sent a print request to a waiting queue.

According to the present invention, a plurality of users share a printing device via a corresponding host device, and the printing device performs printing on a queue-managed printing device that sequentially performs printing processing based on the priority of print requests and the order of acceptance. In the method, the index regarding the priority which is given in advance for each user is reduced for a user who has sent a print request to a priority queue which performs print processing prior to another print request, and a predetermined amount of print requests is reduced. The printing method of the printing apparatus is characterized in that a user who sends a print request to a waiting queue for performing print processing collectively after accumulating or waiting for a predetermined time to elapse is increased.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the predetermined amount of print request or the predetermined time has not been reached, if a print request of another queue is processed, the print request of the waiting queue is also printed. Alternatively, the queuing queue may be configured to be usable only in a predetermined time zone.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the printing system, a plurality of hosts A, B, C,... Constituted by information processing devices such as computers and personal digital assistants, and a printing device 1 shared by these hosts can communicate via a network 2. Connected to.

The printer 1 is roughly divided into a printer engine 3 for performing a printing process, a control unit 4 which is realized by a microcomputer or the like and controls the entire apparatus, and a database which is realized by a hard disk device or the like and stores data. 5, a network interface unit 6, a display unit 7, an input operation unit 8, and a clock 9.

On the other hand, the host A includes a control unit 21 implemented by a microcomputer or the like, an input operation unit 22 implemented by a keyboard or a mouse, a display unit 23 implemented by a cathode ray tube or the like, a hard disk device or the like. And a network interface unit 25. The remaining hosts B and C have substantially the same configuration as the host A.

The control section 4 includes a queue management section 11, a score management section 12, and a storage section 13. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, each user is given a point, and priority printing is performed as needed using the point. Therefore, the point management unit 12 stores the point data for each user in the storage area 12a, and increases the point data in response to a print request sent by each user as described later. It will be reduced or maintained and updated.

The queue management unit 11 includes a priority queue 11a for performing a printing process prior to another printing request, a normal queue 11b for performing a normal printing process, and storing a predetermined amount of printing requests or lapse of a predetermined time. And a waiting queue 11c for performing batch processing.

The received print request is stored in one of the queues 11a, 11b, 11c according to the type of the print request, and the print data is stored in the database 5. The queue management unit 11 drives the printer engine 3 in the order of the print requests having the highest priority, that is, in the order of the queues 11a, 11b, and 11c, and in the case of the same priority, in the order of the earliest print request. I do.

The storage unit 13 determines how much print request is stored in the waiting queue 11c (waiting processing amount), and determines how many print requests are stored when the print request is stored. A predetermined reference processing amount (reference processing amount) to be started, a time at which the earliest waiting queue is received from the clock 9 (waiting start time), and how long the printing process is started. A preset reference time (waiting reference time) to determine whether to start, and an effective waiting time period (waiting effective time period) in which the number of print requests is relatively small and power consumption is greatly reduced by waiting.
Are stored in the areas 13a to 13e, respectively.

The queue management unit 11 stores the waiting queue 11 without the priority queue 11a and the normal queue 11b.
When c is received, the waiting processing amount stored in the area 13a becomes the reference processing amount stored in the area 13b, or the waiting processing start time stored in the area 13c is
When the elapsed time by the clock 9 reaches the reference time stored in the area 13d, the printing process is started. Even if the reference processing amount or the reference time is not reached, when the priority queue 11a and the normal queue 11b are received, the printing process is performed subsequent to the printing process.

(Print Data Receiving Operation on Printer Side)
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the print data receiving operation on the printer 1 side of the printing system configured as described above. When a print request is received in step S10 (hereinafter abbreviated as S10), S11
The processing shifts to and the priority determined by the user in the received print request is determined.

If it is determined in S11 that the printing is the priority printing,
The process proceeds to S12, in which the point management unit 12 deducts the point data of the corresponding user stored in the storage area 12a, and determines in S14 whether there is any shortage of points.
If it is determined that the score is not insufficient (N in S14),
At 19, the print request is stored in the priority queue 11a, and
The print data is spooled in the database 5 and the process is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S11 that the printing is the normal printing, the printing request is stored in the normal queue 11b in S20, and the printing data is similarly spooled in the database 5 in S22 to complete the processing. I do. Also, when the point is insufficient in S14 (in the case of Y in S14), S2
The process shifts to 0, the print request is stored in the normal queue 11b, and the print data is spooled in the database 5 in S22, and the process is completed. That is, in the case of the normal printing, the point is held without being changed.

Further, if it is determined in S11 that the printing is waiting printing, then in S13, it is determined whether or not the time at which the printing request was received is a valid waiting time zone stored in the area 13e of the storage unit 13. Is determined, and if the time period is valid (if valid in S13), the user's score is increased in S15.

In S16, it is determined whether or not a print request is stored in the waiting queue 11c. If the print request is empty, ie, if the print request is the earliest print request, it is determined in S17. After the received time is stored in the area 13c of No. 13, if another print request is stored in S18 (if yes in S17), the process directly proceeds to S18.

In S18, the processing amount of the received print request is added to the processing amount of the unprocessed print request stored in the area 13a of the storage unit 13 to be updated. In S21, the print request is stored in the waiting queue 11c. After the storage, the process proceeds to S22.

(Print Processing Operation in Printer) FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the print processing operation in the printer. First, in S30, it is determined whether or not a print request is stored in the priority queue 11a. If a print request remains (if it is present in S30), a print process is performed in S22, and the process returns to S30. .

If no print request remains in the priority queue 11a in S30, the flow shifts to S32, where it is determined whether a print request is stored in the normal queue 11b. If a print request remains (S32: YES) After performing the print request processing of the normal queue in S33, the process returns to S30.

In this manner, the priority printing and the normal printing are sequentially performed each time a print request is generated, and in the order of generation of the print request from the priority printing to the normal printing.

If no print request for normal printing remains in S32 (if empty in S32), the flow shifts to S34 to determine whether or not a print request remains in the waiting queue 11c. At S36, it is determined whether the waiting processing amount stored in the area 13a of the storage unit 13 exceeds the reference processing amount stored in the area 13b at S36.
In the case of Y), after the printing process is performed in S39, in S30
Return to

In S36, when the waiting processing amount is equal to or less than the reference processing amount (N in S36), the elapsed time from the waiting start time stored in the area 13c in S28 is stored in the area 13d. It is determined whether or not the time has been exceeded, and when the time has been exceeded (in the case of Y in S37)
After performing the printing process in S39, the process returns to S30. S3
In step 7, if the waiting time is equal to or shorter than the reference time (N in S37), it is determined in S38 whether or not the printing process is currently being performed. If it is (Y in S38), the process proceeds to S27. On the other hand, if the processing has not been continued (N in S38), the processing ends.

In S34, the waiting queue 11c
If there is no print request left (if empty in S34),
After the waiting processing amount stored in the area 13a of the storage unit 13 is reset in S35, the processing ends.

As described above, the printer 1 according to this embodiment
In order to enable priority printing using the point data of each user, the points of users who have selected queuing printing will increase. Therefore, in an emergency, the user voluntarily selects the queuing queue. Thus, the priority is increased to facilitate the priority processing at the time of the next print request, so that an appropriate processing order is determined. In this way, the user can be given a range of choices for priority printing while achieving the effect of priority printing. Further, the probability that the printing process is continuously performed is increased, and power consumption can be suppressed.

Even during the waiting, if at least one printing process is performed, the printing process is performed continuously without a pause, so that power consumption can be suppressed. Furthermore,
Since queuing printing can be performed by setting a time zone that is infrequently used as an effective time zone, power consumption can be suppressed, and points can be imparted fairly.

[0038]

According to the present invention, there is provided a queue-managed printing apparatus which is shared via a host apparatus corresponding to a plurality of users and sequentially performs printing processing based on the priority and the order of acceptance of print requests. A priority queue for performing print processing prior to a request; a waiting queue for performing print processing collectively after a predetermined amount of print requests are accumulated or a predetermined time has elapsed; A management unit that manages the index related to the priority, and decreases the index for a user who has sent a print request to the priority queue, and increases the index for a user who has sent a print request to the waiting queue. This is a printing apparatus characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, a plurality of users share a printing apparatus via a corresponding host apparatus, and the printing apparatus performs printing on a queue-managed printing apparatus that sequentially performs printing processing based on the priority of print requests and the order of acceptance. In the method, the index regarding the priority which is given in advance for each user is reduced for a user who has sent a print request to a priority queue which performs print processing prior to another print request, and a predetermined amount of print requests is reduced. This printing method is characterized by increasing the number of users who have sent a print request to a waiting queue for storing the data or waiting for a predetermined time to elapse and then performing print processing collectively.

Therefore, according to the above configuration, in the case of urgency, the user voluntarily selects a waiting queue and increases the number of points to make it easier to perform priority processing at the time of a print request. As the order is determined, the user can be given a range of priority printing while maintaining the effect of the priority printing, and the probability that the printing process is continuously performed is increased, and wasteful power consumption is reduced. It becomes possible to suppress.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the predetermined amount of print request or the predetermined time has not been reached, if a print request of another queue is processed, the print request of the waiting queue is also printed. You may do it. With this configuration, even if the user is waiting, if at least one print process is performed, the print processes can be continuously performed without a gap, so that wasteful power consumption can be reduced. .

In general, a time zone frequently used is
In many cases, the printing process is performed without waiting for a long time, and even if the waiting printing is performed, the effect of suppressing the power consumption is small. In addition, it is fairer not to give points. However, by making the queuing queue available only in a predetermined time zone, the effect of power suppression can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving print data on the printer side according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation in the printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Network 3 Printer engine 4 Control part 5 Database 6 Network interface unit 7 Display part 8 Input operation part 9 Clock 11 Queue management part 11a Priority queue 11b Normal queue 11c Waiting queue 12 Point management part 12a Storage area 13 Storage part 21 Control unit 22 Input operation unit 23 Display unit 24 Database

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A queue-managed printing device that is shared via a host device corresponding to a plurality of users and that performs sequential printing processing based on the priority and acceptance order of printing requests. A priority queue for performing a printing process; a waiting queue for waiting until a predetermined amount of print requests are accumulated or a predetermined time has elapsed; and a waiting queue for performing a batch printing process; A management unit that manages an index relating to the degree, and decreases the index for a user who has sent a print request to the priority queue, and increases the index for a user who has sent a print request to the waiting queue. apparatus. 2. A printing method for a queue-managed printing device, which is shared by a plurality of users via a corresponding host device, and wherein the printing device sequentially performs a printing process based on a priority and a receiving order of the printing requests. The priority index, which is given in advance for each user, is lowered for a user who has sent a print request to a priority queue that performs print processing prior to another print request, and a predetermined amount of print requests are accumulated. A printing method for a printing apparatus, wherein a user who sends a print request to a waiting queue for performing print processing collectively after waiting for a predetermined time to elapse is increased. 3. The print processing of the waiting queue is also performed when a print request of another queue is processed even if the predetermined amount of print requests or the predetermined time has not been reached. The printing method according to claim 2, wherein 4. The printing method according to claim 2, wherein the waiting queue can be used only in a predetermined time zone.