JP2002268850A - Server device, job processing method for server device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To normally output an unprocessed job among divided jobs by utilizing a different image forming device to continue to process the unprocessed job even though any image forming device falls into a state in which the image forming device can not output the unprocessed job. SOLUTION: An image processing system is constructed by connecting a different type of a printer 107 that receives jobs from clients and is connected to a private network 101b and MFPs 105a to 105d in a communicable way. A document server 102 divides jobs inputted from the respective clients 103a to 103c so as to change printing sequences in accordance with the characteristics of respective image forming devices, controls distributed transfer and also retransfers an unprocessed job that has been transferred to the printer 107 to the other MFPs 105a to 105d.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and forming at least two or more different types of image formation connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. The present invention relates to a server device capable of communicating with the device, a job processing method of the server device, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing system including a server device of this type, a user selects a desired printer from a computer and performs LA when forming an image.
N via a public line or a dedicated interface,
The desired job is printed by the selected printer.

There is also widely known a method called a server / client method, in which a job of a client user is sent to a printer via a document server.

[0004]

However, in the light printing market, which is called print-on-demand in recent years, the opportunity to print a large number of jobs from a computer to an image forming apparatus has increased. There is a demand for how cheap and efficient printing is.

[0005] For this purpose, it is inefficient to print one job with one image forming apparatus. Therefore, a server capable of handling a large number of jobs and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the server are indispensable. If done, there is a considerable advantage in print performance.

In the case of performing job processing using a plurality of image forming apparatuses having different characteristics, a large amount of jobs are processed in a processing procedure such as stapling and punching after printing in consideration of the characteristics of each image forming apparatus. There was a problem that had to be solved for complications.

Further, in a case where a plurality of image forming apparatuses share and process a job, when one of the image forming apparatuses falls into an inoperable state, another job is interrupted until the job is properly restored. As a result, problems have been pointed out, such as job processing being delayed for a long time due to shared processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to receive a job from a client computer connected to a first network and to receive the job from a second computer or a dedicated network. To establish an image processing system by communicably connecting to at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to the interface of the computer, and print a job input from each client computer in accordance with the characteristics of each image forming apparatus. Divided jobs are controlled so as to change the order, and distribution transfer control is performed.When one of the image forming apparatuses to which the divided job is distributed and transferred changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the stopped image forming apparatus Retransfer control of an unprocessed job among the distributed divided jobs to another image forming apparatus that can output the job Even when an image processing system is constructed by connecting two or more different types of image forming apparatuses on a network, even if a large number of job requests are generated from client computers, each image forming apparatus Job processing that maximizes the characteristics of the job can be scheduled, streamlining the processing procedure of output materials such as stapling and drilling after image formation and output, as well as any image formation in the transfer destination of the divided job Even if a failure that causes the output status to stop on the device occurs, it is convenient to continue using other image forming devices and to output the unprocessed job in the divided job normally. An object of the present invention is to provide a server device capable of performing excellent job processing, a job processing method of the server device, and a storage medium.

[0009]

A first invention according to the present invention is directed to a first network (a network 10 shown in FIG. 1).
1a), a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c or the like shown in FIG. 1) connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (dedicated I / O). / F113), which is a server device (corresponding to the document server 102 shown in FIG. 1) which can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses, and which is connected to the client via the first network. Job distribution means for distributing a job input from a computer to any two or more different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses (corresponding to the input job control unit 1202 shown in FIG. 15)
And a plurality of image development processing means (RIPs 1203a to 1203 shown in FIG. 15) for developing the jobs distributed by the job distribution means into images each capable of outputting an image.
3c) and transfer control means (an output job control unit 1 shown in FIG. 15) for distributing and transferring the divided jobs developed by the respective image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus.
205), and when any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stop state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control unit, It has retransfer control means (corresponding to the output job control unit 1205 shown in FIG. 15) for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c shown in FIG. 1) connected to a first network (network 101a shown in FIG. 1). And at least two connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (corresponding to the dedicated I / F 113).
A server device (corresponding to the document server 102 shown in FIG. 1) capable of communicating with image forming apparatuses of different types or more, and converts a job input from a client computer via the first network into a first A job distributing means (an input job control unit 1 shown in FIG. 15) for distributing a first job output by the image forming apparatus having the resolution and a second job output by the image forming apparatus having the second resolution;
202) and first image development processing means for developing the first job distributed by the job distribution means into an image that can be output at a first resolution (in the RIPs 1203a to 1203c shown in FIG. 15). 15) and second image development processing means (RIP1 shown in FIG. 15) for developing the second job distributed by the job distribution means into an image that can be output at a second resolution.
203a to 1203c) and a first transfer control means for distributing and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus. (Corresponding to the output job control unit 1205 shown in FIG. 15) and when any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus by the first transfer control unit. The re-transfer control means (for the output job shown in FIG. 15) for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. Control unit 1205).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first transfer control means (corresponding to the output job control unit 1205 shown in FIG. 15) includes a pair formed to output the divided jobs distributed respectively. The page output order is controlled so that one of the image forming apparatuses is sequentially output from the first page, and the other image forming apparatus is output in the reverse order from the end. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage means (corresponding to the RAM 1208 shown in FIG. 15) for storing the page output order of each image forming apparatus in which a pair is formed, and each image in which the pair is formed. Monitor the image output status of the forming device,
When the image output state of one of the image forming apparatuses is stopped, after a certain time has elapsed, a job in a printing order matching the image forming apparatus is sent to the other image forming apparatus capable of outputting an unoutputted portion. It has second transfer control means (corresponding to the output job control unit 1205 shown in FIG. 15) for re-transferring.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the second transfer control means reconstructs the job so that the output order is the same as that of the job previously distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image. To transfer.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, each of the image development processing means simultaneously performs separate image development processing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first image development processing means and the second image development processing means respectively perform different image development processing simultaneously.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the job distribution means is configured to convert a job managed in advance in pages or a job not managed in pages into a job managed in pages. Is distributed on a page basis.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the job distribution means converts a job managed in advance in pages or a job not managed in pages into a job managed in pages. Are evenly distributed on a page-by-page basis.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the resolution of the first image processing unit is lower than the resolution of the second image processing unit.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the resolution of any one of the plurality of image processing units is lower than the resolution of the other image processing units.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the retransfer control means distributes the image data to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The re-transfer of the divided job is performed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the retransfer control means can transfer the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. .

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the retransfer control means allocates the image forming apparatus to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The non-output job among the divided jobs is transferred.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the retransfer control means reedits an output order of a non-output job among divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c shown in FIG. 1) connected to a first network (network 101a shown in FIG. 1). A server device that can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (corresponding to the dedicated I / F 113) (Corresponding to the document server 102 shown in FIG. 1), wherein a job input from a client computer via the first network is converted into at least two different types of image forming apparatuses. The job distribution step (FIG. 26) To step S2208a~S220
8d) and a plurality of image development processing steps for developing the jobs distributed in the job distribution step into images that can be output as images (step S shown in FIG. 26).
2205) and a transfer control step of distributing and transferring the divided jobs developed by the respective image development processing steps to the optimal image forming apparatus (step S22 shown in FIG. 26).
05), when any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus in the transfer control step, the image forming apparatus stopped for the output enabled image forming apparatus. A retransfer control step (steps S2227 to S2229 and S2223 shown in FIG. 31) for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state of the image forming apparatus.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c shown in FIG. 1) connected to a first network (network 101a shown in FIG. 1). A server device that can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (corresponding to the dedicated I / F 113) (Corresponding to the document server 102 shown in FIG. 1), wherein a job input from a client computer via the first network is output by an image forming apparatus of a first resolution. And a second image output by the image forming apparatus having the second resolution.
A job distribution step (steps S2208a to S2208d shown in FIG. 26) for distributing the first job to the first job and a first processing for developing the first job distributed in the job distribution step into an image that can be output at a first resolution. Image development processing step (step S220 shown in FIG. 26)
5) and the second distributed by the job distribution step.
26. A second image development processing step (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26) for developing the job No. into an image that can be output as an image at the second resolution, and each of the images developed by the first or second image development processing step. A first transfer control step (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26) for distributing the divided job to an optimal image forming apparatus and transferring the divided job;
During transfer of a divided job to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control step, if any of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the stopped image forming apparatus A retransfer control step (steps S2227 to S2231, S2223 shown in FIG. 31) for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the first transfer control step is performed for one of the pair of image forming apparatuses formed to output the divided jobs distributed. Output from the first page,
The page output order is controlled so that the other image forming apparatuses are output in reverse order from the end.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a storage step of storing the page output order of each paired image forming apparatus in a storage unit, and an image output state of each paired image forming apparatus Is monitored, and when the image output state of one of the image forming apparatuses is stopped, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the non-output portion is adjusted to the other image forming apparatus capable of outputting the image, and And a second transfer control step (step S2223 shown in FIG. 27) of retransferring the job in the print order.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the second transfer control step, the job is reconstructed so that the output order is the same as that of the job previously distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image. To transfer.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in each image development processing step, separate image development processing is performed simultaneously.

In a twenty-second invention according to the present invention, the first image development processing step and the second image development processing step respectively perform different image development processing simultaneously.

In a twenty-third aspect according to the present invention, the job distribution means converts a job managed in advance in pages or a job not managed in pages into a job managed in pages. Is distributed on a page basis.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the job distribution step, the job managed in advance in units of pages is
Alternatively, a job in which a job not managed in page units is converted into a job managed in page units is distributed evenly in page units.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the resolution of the first image processing step is lower than the resolution of the second image processing step.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the resolution of any one of the plurality of image development processing steps is lower than the resolution of the other image development processing steps.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the re-transfer control step includes allocating to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The re-transfer of the divided job is performed. .

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus can be transferred to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. .

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the re-transfer control step allocates to the stopped image forming apparatus based on a congested state of the second network and an output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The non-output job among the divided jobs is transferred.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the retransfer control step, the output order of unoutput jobs among the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus is reedited.

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c shown in FIG. 1) connected to the first network (the network 101a shown in FIG. 1). A server device that can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (corresponding to the dedicated I / F 113) The job input from the client computer via the first network is distributed to any two or more different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses. Job distribution step (step S2208 shown in FIG. 26) To S2208d), a plurality of image expansion processing steps (Step S2205 shown in FIG. 26) for expanding the jobs distributed in the job distribution step into images that can be image-outputted, and an expansion processing by each of the image expansion processing steps. A transfer control step (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26) for distributing and transferring the divided jobs to the most suitable image forming apparatus, and during transfer of the divided jobs to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control step, one of the image forming apparatuses When the output state changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the divided job distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus is transferred to the output enabled image forming apparatus based on the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. Transfer control step (step S22 shown in FIG. 31)
27 to S2229 and S2223) are recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, a job is received from a client computer (corresponding to the client computers 103a to 103c shown in FIG. 1) connected to the first network (the network 101a shown in FIG. 1). A server device that can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network (corresponding to the network 101b shown in FIG. 1) or a dedicated interface (corresponding to the dedicated I / F 113) A job input from a client computer via the first network to a document server 102 shown in FIG. 1 is converted by a first resolution image forming apparatus into a first job and a second resolution job. Distributing to the second job output by the image forming apparatus Step S2208a shown in FIG. 26
To S2208d), a first image development processing step of developing the first job distributed by the job distribution step into an image that can be output as an image at a first resolution (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26), A second image development processing step of developing the second job distributed in the job distribution step into an image that can be output at a second resolution (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26)
A first transfer control step (step S2205 shown in FIG. 26) of distributing and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing step to an optimal image forming apparatus; During transfer of a divided job to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control step, if any of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the stopped image forming apparatus A retransfer control step of transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state (steps S2227 to S223 shown in FIG. 31)
1, S2223) are recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, in the first transfer control step, the first transfer control step is performed for one of the pair of image forming apparatuses formed to output the divided jobs distributed. Output from the first page,
The page output order is controlled so that the other image forming apparatuses are output in reverse order from the end.

According to a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage step for storing in a storage means a page output order of each pair of image forming apparatuses, and an image output state of each pair of image forming apparatuses. Is monitored, and when the image output state of one of the image forming apparatuses is stopped, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the non-output portion is adjusted to the other image forming apparatus capable of outputting the image, and A program for executing a second transfer control step (step S2223 shown in FIG. 27) of re-transferring a job in a print order is recorded on a recording medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second transfer control step, the job is reconstructed so that the output order is the same as that of the job previously distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image. To transfer.

According to a thirty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in each image development processing step, separate image development processing is performed simultaneously.

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first image development processing step and the second image development processing step, separate image development processings are respectively performed simultaneously.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the job distribution means converts a job managed in advance in pages or a job not managed in pages into a job managed in pages. Is distributed on a page basis.

According to a thirty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the job distribution step, the job managed in advance in units of pages is
Alternatively, a job in which a job not managed in page units is converted into a job managed in page units is distributed evenly in page units.

[0048] In a fortieth aspect of the present invention, the resolution of the first image processing step is lower than the resolution of the second image processing step.

According to a forty-first aspect of the present invention, the resolution of any one of the plurality of image development processing steps is lower than the resolution of the other image development processing steps.

According to a forty-second aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the re-transfer control step allocates to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The re-transfer of the divided job is performed.

According to a forty-third aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus can be transferred to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. .

According to a forty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the re-transfer control step allocates to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. The non-output job among the divided jobs is transferred.

According to a forty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the re-transfer control step, the output order of unoutput jobs among the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatuses is re-edited.

[0054]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] [Overview of System] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing system to which a server device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. For example, this corresponds to a case where the system is configured by a server and a client computer connected to a network, and at least two or more different types of image processing apparatuses connected to the server.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional image processing system. The configuration of FIG. 1 will be described in comparison with the image processing system shown in FIG.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, in order to give priority to data processing performance, the network 101 is divided into two systems as shown in FIG. 2 and called a public network 101a and a private network 101b.

The document server 102 has two hardware network interface cards (N
IC), one of which is a public network 1
An NIC 111 connected to the 01a side and an NIC 112 connected to the private network 101b connected to the printer exist on the other side.

Computers 103a, 103b and 10
Reference numeral 3c denotes a client that sends a job to the document server. Although not shown, many clients are connected in addition to the above. Hereinafter, the client is represented as 103.

Further, the private network 101b includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).
peripheral: multifunction peripheral) 104
a, 104b, 105a to 105d and the printer 107
Is connected.

Reference numerals 105a to 105d denote MFPs that perform scanning and printing in monochrome, or low-resolution or simple binary color scanning and color printing. Although not shown, the private network 101
Other devices such as a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile other than the above MFPs are also connected to b.

The MFPs 104a and 104b are full-color MFPs capable of high-resolution, high-gradation full-color scanning or printing, and may transmit and receive data by connecting to the private network 101b.
Here, since the amount of data is enormous, a plurality of bits can be transmitted and received simultaneously by independent interfaces, and connected to the document server 102 by unique dedicated interface cards 113a and 113b.

A scanner 106 a is an image scanner for taking in an image from a paper document, and is connected via a SCSI interface 114.
a and 106b connected to the public network 101a or the private network 101b).
There are types.

Next, the hardware configuration of the document server 102 is based on the above-mentioned NIC (Network In) by using an interface called a PCI bus on a portion called a motherboard 110 on which a CPU, a memory, and the like are mounted.
terface card) 111, 112 or dedicated I
/ F cards 113a and 113b, SCSI card 114, and the like are connected.

Here, the client computer 103
Above, the so-called DTP (DeskTop Public)
shing) is executed, and various documents / graphics are created / edited. The client computer 103 converts the created document / graphic into a page description language (Page description language).
To the MFP 104a, 104b or 105 via the public network 101a.
a to 105d and printed out.

MFPs 104a, 104b, 105a-1
Each of the MFPs 05d has a communication unit capable of exchanging information with the document server 102 via the private network 101b or the dedicated interface 109. The information and status of the MFPs 104 and 105 can be transmitted to the document server 102 or the client 1 via the document server 102.
It is a mechanism to notify the 03 side sequentially.

Further, the document server 102 (or the client 103) has utility software which operates in response to the information, and
4 and 105 are managed by the document server 102 (or the client 103).

[Configuration of MFPs 104 and 105] Next, the configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, the difference between the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 is the difference between full-color and monochrome, and since the full-color device often includes the configuration of the monochrome device except for the color processing, only the full-color device will be described here.
A description of the monochrome device will be added as needed.

FIG. 3 shows MFPs 104a, 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the components 04b and 105a to 105d.

In FIG. 3, MFPs 104a and 104
b, 105a to 105d denote a scanner unit 201 for reading an image and a scanner I for image processing the image data.
A P unit 202, a facsimile unit 203 for transmitting and receiving images using a telephone line typified by a facsimile, etc., and a NIC (Network Interface C) for exchanging image data and device information using a network.
ard: network interface card) unit 204
And a dedicated I that exchanges information with the full-color MFP 104
/ F section 205. Then, the MFPs 104a and 104
b, core part 206 according to usage of 105a to 105d
Temporarily store the image signal and determine the route.

Next, the image data output from the core unit 206 is sent to a printer unit 209 for forming an image via a printer IP unit 207 and a PWM unit 208.
The sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 is sent to the finisher unit 210, where a sheet sorting process and a sheet finishing process are performed.

[Configuration of Scanner Unit 201] FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the scanner unit 201 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 301 denotes a platen glass on which a document 302 to be read is placed. Manuscript 3
02 is illuminated by an illumination lamp 303, and the reflected light is imaged on a CCD 308 by a lens 307 via mirrors 304, 305 and 306. The first mirror unit 310 including the mirror 304 and the illumination lamp 303 has a speed V
, And the second mirror unit 311 including the mirrors 305 and 306 scans the entire surface of the document 302 by moving at a speed of 1 / 2V. The first mirror unit 310 and the second mirror unit 311 are driven by a motor 309.

[Configuration of Scanner IP Unit 202] FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner IP unit 202 illustrated in FIG. 2, (A) corresponding to a color scanner, and (B) corresponding to a monochrome scanner.

In FIG. 5, the input optical signal is
It is converted into an electric signal by the CCD sensor 308. The CCD sensor 308 is a color sensor of three lines of RGB, and outputs A / D converter 4 as RGB image signals.
01 is input. Here, after the gain adjustment and the offset adjustment are performed, the A / D conversion unit 401 sets 8b for each color signal.
It is converted into the digital image signals R0, G0, B0 of it.
After that, the shading correction unit 402
Known shading correction is performed using a read signal of the reference white plate.

Further, since the respective color line sensors of the CCD sensor 308 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the line delay adjustment circuit (line interpolation unit) 403 corrects a spatial shift in the sub-scanning direction. You.

Next, the input masking section 404 is a CCD
This part converts the read color space determined by the spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B filters of the sensor 308 into the NTSC standard color space, and takes into account various characteristics such as the sensitivity characteristics of the CCD sensor 308 and the spectral characteristics of the illumination lamp. A 3 × 3 matrix operation using a device-specific constant is performed, and the input (R
(0, G0, B0) signal to a standard (R, G, B) signal.

Further, a luminance / density conversion unit (LOG conversion unit)
Reference numeral 405 comprises a look-up table (LUT) RAM, which converts RGB luminance signals into C1, M1, and Y1 density signals.

When monochrome image processing is performed by the MFP 105, as shown in FIG. 5B, a single-color A / D conversion unit 401 and a shading correction unit 402 are used by using a single-color one-line CCD sensor 308. And then sent to the core unit 206.

[Structure of FAX Unit 203] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of FAX unit 203 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, at the time of reception, the data coming from the telephone line is received by the NCU 501, the voltage is converted, and the demodulation unit 504 in the modem unit 502 performs A / D conversion and demodulation operation. The data is expanded into raster data by an expansion unit 506.

In general, a run length method or the like is used for compression and decompression by FAX. The image converted into the raster data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 507 and sent to the core unit 206 after confirming that there is no transfer error in the image data.

Next, at the time of transmission, the image signal of the raster image coming from the core section is subjected to compression such as a run-length method by the compression section 505, and D / A conversion is performed by the modulation section 503 in the modem section 502. And after performing the modulation operation, N
It is sent to the telephone line via the CU unit 501.

[Configuration of NIC Unit 204] FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the NIC unit 204 shown in FIG. 3. The NIC unit 204 has an interface function for the network 101a. And, for example, 1
Ethe such as 0base-T / 100base-TX
It plays a role of acquiring information from the outside using an rnet cable or the like and flowing the information to the outside.

In FIG. 7, when information is obtained from the outside, first, the voltage is converted by the transformer unit 601 and the LAN
This is sent to the controller unit 602. The LAN controller unit 602 has a first buffer memory (not shown) therein.
After determining whether or not the information is necessary information, the information is sent to a second buffer memory (not shown), and then a signal is sent to the core unit 206.

Next, when providing information to the outside, the data sent from the core unit 206 is added with necessary information by the LAN controller unit 602, and the data is transmitted to the transformer unit 60.
1 is connected to the network 101a.

[Configuration of Dedicated I / F Unit 205]
The dedicated I / F unit 205 shown in FIG.
4 is an interface in which multi-valued bits are respectively transmitted in parallel with CMYK at the interface portion with 4
It consists of color x 8 bit image data and a communication line.

If transmission is performed using an Ethernet cable, such a dedicated parallel interface is used because the output cannot be performed at a speed corresponding to the MFP 104 and the performance of other devices connected to the network is sacrificed. ing.

[Structure of Core Unit 206] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the structure of the core unit 206 shown in FIG.
The bus selector unit 611 of the core unit 206
It plays a role of traffic control in the use of 4,105. That is, copy function, network scan, network print, facsimile transmission / reception,
Alternatively, the bus is switched according to various functions in the MFPs 104 and 105 such as display display. For example, in the copy function processing, the scanner unit 201 → the core unit 206
→ Switching to the printer unit 209, for example, during the network scan processing, the scanner unit 201 → the core unit 2
06 → NIC unit 204, for example, during network print processing, NIC unit 204 → core unit 2
06 → switching to the printer unit 209, for example, at the time of facsimile transmission function processing, switching to the scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → FAX unit 203, for example, at the time of facsimile reception function processing, the FAX unit 203 → core unit 206 → printer unit Switch to 209.

Next, the image data output from the bus selector 611 is supplied to a compression unit 612, a memory unit 613 composed of a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk (HDD), and a decompression unit 6.
14 to the printer IP unit 207.

The compression method used by the compression unit 612 is J
General materials such as PEG, GBIG, and ZIP may be used. The compressed image data is managed for each job,
It is stored together with additional data such as file name, creator, date and time of creation, and file size.

Further, if a job number and a password are provided and stored together, the personal box function can be supported. This is a function for temporarily storing data and making printout (readout from a hard disk (HDD)) only to a specific person. When an instruction to print out the stored job is issued, the job is authenticated by a password and then called from the memory unit 613, the image is decompressed, returned to a raster image, and sent to the printer unit 209.

[Configuration of Printer IP Unit 207] FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer IP unit 207 illustrated in FIG. 3, where (A) corresponds to a color printer and (B) corresponds to a monochrome printer.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 701 denotes output masking /
A UCR circuit unit converts the M1, C1, and Y1 signals into Y, M, C, and K signals, which are the toner colors of the image forming apparatus, using a matrix operation.
M1, C1, Y based on the RGB signals read in
1, K1 signal is converted to Y,
The output is corrected to M, C, and K signals.

Next, a look-up table (LUT) in the gamma correction unit 702 taking into account various color characteristics of the toner.
After being converted into Y, M, C, and K data for image output using the RAM, and subjected to sharpness or smoothing in the spatial filter unit 703, the image signal is converted to PW data.
It is sent to M section 208. Reference numeral 704 denotes a binarization circuit.

[Configuration of PWM Unit 208] FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the PWM unit 208 shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the PWM unit 208 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 10, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),
Image data (MF) separated into four colors of black (K)
In the case of P105a to P105d, the image becomes a single color), and the image is formed through the respective PWM units 208.

Reference numeral 801 denotes a triangular wave generator, and 802, a D / A converter (D / A converter) for converting an input digital image signal into an analog signal. Triangular wave generator 801
(Signal a shown in FIG. 11) and a signal from the D / A converter 802 (signal b shown in FIG. 11) are compared in magnitude by a comparator 803 to become a signal c shown in FIG. 804, where Y,
The laser beam 805 of each of M, C, and K is converted into each laser beam.

Then, the respective laser beams are scanned by the polygon scanner 913 to irradiate the respective photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, 929.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 209 (Color MFP)
FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the color MFPs 104a and 104b shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 913 denotes a polygon mirror which receives four laser beams emitted from four semiconductor lasers 805. One of them is a mirror 914, 91
5 and 916, the photosensitive drum 917 is scanned, and the next one is moved through the mirrors 918, 919 and 920 to the photosensitive drum 92.
1 is scanned, and the next one is mirror 922, 923, 924
To scan the photosensitive drum 925, and the next one is a mirror 9
26, 927, and 928, the photosensitive drum 929 is scanned.

On the other hand, reference numeral 930 denotes a developing device for supplying yellow (Y) toner.
A developing device 931 forms a yellow toner image on a photosensitive drum 17 and supplies magenta (M) toner. The developing device 931 forms a magenta toner image on a photosensitive drum 921 according to a laser beam. A developing device for forming a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 925 in accordance with the laser beam, and a developing device 933 for supplying black (K) toner in accordance with the laser beam.
29, a black toner image is formed. The toner images of the four colors (Y, M, C, K) are transferred onto the sheet, and a full-color output image can be obtained.

The sheet fed from one of the sheet cassettes 934 and 935 and the manual feed tray 936 is sucked onto the transfer belt 938 via the registration roller 937 and is conveyed. Synchronous with the sheet feeding timing, the toner of each color is developed in advance on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is transported. The sheet on which the toner of each color has been transferred is separated, transported by the transport belt 939, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 940.

Then, the sheet having passed through the fixing device 940 is once guided downward by the flapper 950, and after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 950, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged in a face-down state, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed sequentially from the first page.

The four photosensitive drums 917, 921,
925 and 929 are arranged at regular intervals at a distance d, and the sheet is conveyed at a constant speed V by the conveyor belt 939.
This timing is synchronized, and 4
One semiconductor laser 805 is driven.

[Configuration of Printer Unit 209 (Monochrome MF
FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the monochrome MFPs 105a to 105d shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1013 denotes a polygon mirror, which receives laser beams emitted from four semiconductor lasers 805. The laser beams are mirrors 1014 and 101
The photosensitive drum 1017 is scanned through steps 5 and 1016.

Reference numeral 1030 denotes a developing device for supplying a black toner, which forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1017 in accordance with the laser beam, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet to obtain an output image.

The sheet fed from one of the sheet cassettes 1034 and 1035 and the manual feed tray 1036 passes through the registration roller 1037 and is transferred to the transfer belt 1.
038 and transported. The toner is developed on the photosensitive drum 1017 in advance in synchronization with the sheet feeding timing, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is conveyed. The sheet to which the toner has been transferred is separated, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 1040. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 1040 is the flapper 105
0, the sheet is once guided downward, the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the flapper 1050, and is then switched back and discharged.
As a result, the sheets are discharged in a face-down state, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed sequentially from the first page.

[Structure of Finisher Unit 209] FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the finisher unit 210 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 14, the sheet exiting the fixing unit 940 (or 1040) of the printer unit 209 enters the finisher unit 209. The finisher unit 209 includes a sample tray 1101 and a stack tray 1102, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of sheets to be discharged.

There are two sort methods, a bin sort method in which a plurality of bins are assigned to each bin, and an electronic sort function to be described later and bins (or trays) are shifted in the forward direction and output for each job. Sorting can be performed by a shift sort method for sorting sheets.

The electronic sort function is called a collate. If the large-capacity memory described in the core section is provided, the buffer memory is used to change the order of buffered pages and the order of discharge. By using a so-called collate function, an electronic sorting function can be supported. Next, the group function is a function of sorting by page while sorting sorts by job.

Further, when the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 1102, the sheets before the sheets are discharged may be stored for each job, and the sheets may be bound by the stapler 1105 immediately before the sheets are discharged.

In addition, a Z-folding machine 1104 for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 11 for making two (or three) holes for files before reaching the two trays.
06, and performs each process according to the type of job.

Further, the saddle stitcher 1107 binds the central portion of the sheet at two places and then half-folds the sheet by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller.
Perform processing to create booklets such as weekly magazines and pamphlets. The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 1107 are discharged to a booklet tray 1108.

In addition, although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to add a binding by gluing (glue) for bookbinding, or a trim (cutting) for aligning the end face opposite to the binding side after the binding. It is.

The inserter 1103 is connected to the tray 111
Tray 1 without passing the sheet set to 0 to the printer
101, 1102, and 1108. As a result, a sheet set in the inserter 1103 can be inserted (inserted) between sheets fed to the finisher unit 209.

It is assumed that the tray 1110 of the inserter 1103 is set by the user in a face-up state, and the sheet is fed by the pickup roller 1111 in order from the uppermost sheet. Therefore, the sheet from the inserter 1103 is conveyed to the trays 1101 and 1102 as they are and is discharged in a face-down state. When sending to Saddle Stitcher 1107, once puncher 11
After being sent to the 06 side, the direction of the face is adjusted by switching back and sending.

[Configuration of Document Server 102] FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the document server 102 illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 15, the NIC 111 and the SCSI
The job input from 114 is input device control unit 1
It enters the server from 201 and plays its role in connecting the server to various client applications. PDL data and JCL (Job C
control language) data is received. It corresponds to various clients with status information about the printer and server, and the output of this module is responsible for combining all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.

Next, the input job control unit 1202 manages the requested list of jobs and creates a job list to access the individual jobs submitted to the server. Furthermore, this module has three functions: job routing for determining a job route, job split for determining whether to divide and RIP, and job scheduling for determining the order of jobs.

A plurality of rasterizing (RIP) units 1203 exist. 1203a, 1203b, 1203c
Alternatively, it is possible to further increase the number as needed, but here, it is generically described as 1203.

The RIP module is a PDL for various jobs
Is subjected to RIP processing to create a bitmap of an appropriate size and resolution. For RIP processing, Postscr
IPT (registered trademark of Adobe), PCL,
Rasterization processing of various formats such as TIFF, JPEG, and PDF is possible.

The data conversion unit 1204 serves to compress the bitmap image created by the RIP and perform format conversion, and selects the most suitable image image type for each printer. For example, if you want to handle jobs on a page basis, use TIFF
A process is performed such as adding a PDF header to bitmap data after rasterizing JPEG or JPEG in the RIP unit and editing the data as PDF data.

The output job control unit 1205 takes page images of a job and manages how they are handled based on command settings. The page is printed on the printer and the hard disk (ImageDisk) 120
7 saved. Whether or not the job after printing is left in the hard disk 1207 can be selected, and when the job is saved, it can be recalled. Further, this module includes a hard disk 1207 and a RAM 1208.
Manage interactions with.

The output device control unit 1206 manages which device is to be output and which device is to be clustered (a plurality of devices are connected and printed at once), and the NIC 112 or the interface card 113a of the selected device. 113b. This module is used for the MFPs 104a and 104b and the MFP 10
It also plays a role of monitoring the status of 5a to 105d and transmitting the device status to the document server 102.

Here, the page description language (Page Descriptor)
description Language: Hereinafter abbreviated as PDL. ) Will be described.

PDL represented by Adobe's Postscript (registered trademark) language includes (a) an image description using character codes, (b) an image description using graphic codes,
(C) It is classified into three elements of an image description based on raster image data.

That is, PDL is a language for describing an image formed by combining the above-described elements, and data described thereby is referred to as PDL data.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining PDL data and an image generated from the PDL data in the image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16A shows an example in which character information R1301 is described. L1311 is a description for designating the color of the character. Parentheses indicate Cyan and Magent in this order.
a, Yellow, and black are shown.

The minimum is "0.0" and the maximum is "1.
0 ". In L1311, it is specified that the characters be black. Next, L1312 substitutes the character string “IC” for the variable String1.

Next, in L1313, the first and second parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the third parameter is the size of the character, and the fourth parameter is the character. , And the fifth parameter indicates a character string to be laid out. In short, L1313 is a character string “IC” with a size “0.3” and an interval “0.1” from coordinates (0.0, 0.0).
Is laid out.

Next, in the example in which the graphic information R1302 is described, L1321 specifies the color of the line, similarly to L1311, and here, Cyan is specified. Next, L
Reference numeral 1322 designates a line to be drawn. The first and second parameters are the starting coordinates of the line, and the third and fourth parameters are the x and y coordinates of the ending coordinate. Fifth
The parameter indicates the thickness of the line.

Further, in the example in which the raster image information is described, L1331 represents the raster image R1303 as the variable ima.
ge1. Here, the first parameter represents the image type of the raster image and the number of color components, the second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters represent the x and y directions of the raster image. Represents the image size.

The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data. The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components forming one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In L1331, the C, M, Y, and K images have four color components (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Bla).
ck), the number of raster image data is (4 × 5 × 5 =) 100. Next, L1332
Is 0.5 × 0.5 from the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).
5 shows that image1 is laid out in a size of 5.

FIG. 16 (B) shows the above-mentioned 3 in one page.
This figure shows how one image description is interpreted and developed into raster image data.

R1301, R1302 and R1303 are obtained by expanding the respective PDL data. These raster image data are actually stored in the RAM 1208 (or ImageDisk1) for each of the C, M, Y, and K color components.
207). For example, the portion of R1301 is stored in the RAM 1208 of each of C, M, Y, and K, and C = 0, M
= 0, Y = 0, K = 255, and R1302
Are C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0, K
= 0 is written.

In the document server 102, the PDL data sent from the client 103 (or the document server itself) is stored in the RAM in the form of PDL data as it is or as a raster image as described above.
1208 (or ImageDisk 1207) and stored as needed.

[Network 101a] FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network 101a illustrated in FIG.

As shown in FIG.
In FIG. 1A, the configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is connected by a device for interconnecting networks called routers.
Configure a further network called (Local Area Network). LAN 1406
Is connected to a dedicated line 1408 via an internal router 1401.
, And connected to a router 1405 inside another LAN 1407, and these networks are stretched over and over to form a vast connection form.

FIG. 18 shows the network 10 shown in FIG.
It is a figure explaining the flow of data on 1a.

In FIG. 18, there is data 1421 existing in the transmission source device A (device 1420a).
The data may be image data, PDL data, or a program. This is network 101
Device B (device 1420b) of the destination via a
, The data 1421 is subdivided and image-wise divided like data 1422. A destination address called a header 1425 (in the case of using the TCP / IP protocol, a destination IP address) for the divided data 1423, 1424, and 1426.
The packet is sequentially transmitted as a packet 1427 on the network 101a. When the address of the device B matches the header 1431 of the packet 1430, the data 1432 is separated, and is reproduced in the state of the data 1435 and 1436 that existed in the device A. [Scanner Driver] Next, the scanner driver will be described.

FIG. 19 shows the document server 10 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanner operation screen displayed on a display device connected to the client 103 or a client 103, and illustrates a scanner driver GUI for instructing a scan operation.
In response to (Graphic User Interface), by instructing on the screen, the user can instruct desired setting parameters and convert a desired image into data.

Referring to FIG. 19, reference numeral 1501 denotes a window of a scanner driver, in which setting items are displayed. Reference numeral 1502 denotes a source device selection column for selecting a target transmission source. In general, it is similar to the above-described scanner unit 201, but it may be a device that takes an image from a memory or a digital camera.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a property key for making detailed settings relating to the selected source device. When the property key is clicked with a pointing device (not shown) or the like, setting information unique to the device is input on another screen, and special properties are input. Image processing (for example, character mode / photograph mode), and an image can be input in a processing mode suitable for the selected mode.

An image size column 1504 for selecting an image size is used to select an image size to be read. A resolution column 1505 is used to input a resolution (dpi) of an image to be read. A color mode column 1506 selects a color mode. Also, 1507 to 150
9 is a parameter column for determining the size of the image area,
A parameter column 1507 determines a unit, for example, a unit system. In the parameter column 1508, the width of the image size is input. In a parameter column 1509, the length of the vertical width of the image size is input.
Enter the unit and length in each case.

When the pre-scan key 1512 is pressed after these designations, the document server 102 or the client 103 causes the source device selection column 1
An instruction is given to the device selected in 502, and image input is started.

In this case, since the pre-scanning is performed, the image is read coarser than the actual resolution, and the obtained image is displayed as a preview image 1511 in the preview area in the window 1501.

For display, a scale 1510 is displayed according to the unit selected in the parameter column 1507 of the image area.

If it is determined that the preview image is OK, the user clicks the scan key 1513 to perform the operation at the set resolution. If the preview image is NG, the pre-scan is performed again to confirm it. If the preview image is cancelled, the cancel key 1514 is clicked. [Printer Driver] Next, the process of transmitting image data to the printer from the document server 102 or the client 103 by the printer driver will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the document server 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer operation screen displayed on a display device connected to the client 103 or a client 103. The printer driver uses a GUI for instructing a print operation.
By this instruction, the user can instruct a desired setting parameter and send a desired image to a transmission destination such as a printer.

Referring to FIG. 20, reference numeral 1601 denotes a printer driver window in which user-settable setting items are displayed.

Reference numeral 1602 denotes a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. Generally, the aforementioned MFP
104 or 105 or the printer 107.

Reference numeral 1603 denotes a page setting column for selecting an output page from a job.
02 or which page of the image created by the application software operating on the client 103 is determined.

Reference numeral 1604 denotes a copy number setting column for designating the number of copies. Reference numeral 1607 denotes a property key for performing detailed settings related to the destination device selected in the destination selection column 1602. Clicking here inputs special device-specific setting information on a separate screen and performs special image processing. For example, by changing the parameters of the gamma conversion unit 702 and the spatial filter unit 703 in the printer IP unit 207, finer color reproduction and sharpness adjustment can be performed.

When the desired settings are completed, the OK key 1
In step 605, printing is started. When canceling, printing is canceled by a cancel key 1606.

[Job Submitter] The job submitter 1701 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 shows the client 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a job submitter setting screen displayed on the print driver 3 in the same manner as the print driver described above, but this is a tool for throwing a file on the client 103 into the document server 102. Yes, print driver is Client 1
03, start up the data, convert the data into a format such as PS (or PCL) and throw it into the document server 102.
The job submitter 1701 is for sending data in various formats directly to the document server 102.

In FIG. 21, 170 items are set as setting items.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. Generally, the MFP 104 or 105 or the printer 107 described above. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a page setting column for selecting an output page from a job. By designating a directory column 1706 and a file column 1707, an arbitrary file in the document server 102 or the client 103 is selected and thrown into the document server 102. It becomes possible.

In order to make detailed settings, there is a property key 1704, and when this is clicked, a job ticket menu of the next section appears. Once you have the desired settings,
When the user presses the OK key 1710, the job is
02, cancel key 1 to cancel
711 can be canceled. 1708 is a file name column and 1709 is a file type column.

[Job Ticket] Next, the job ticket 1801 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 22 shows the client 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a job submitter setting screen displayed on the job submitter setting screen displayed on the printer driver setting screen 3 or a property key instruction of the printer driver setting screen shown in FIG. Property key 16 on the scanner driver setting screen and the job submitter setting screen shown in FIG.
When 07 or the property key 1704 is clicked, it is displayed.

Note that the job ticket is stored in the MFP 104,
105a to 105d or a setting screen in which the user freely selects a function unique to the printer 107 or the like. Different setting items 1802 are displayed according to a target output destination, that is, a transmission selection column 1702. . At this time, the user can select any setting item 1803
Can be selected.

As shown in FIG. 22, for example, Duplex
ON and OFF are prepared in the setting column of
If N, printing is performed by double-sided printing, and if OFF, printing is performed by single-sided printing.

However, when a printer having no double-sided function is selected, this item itself is not displayed. Frequently set default items are set in advance.
In x, OFF is selected as a default because single-sided printing is frequently used.

The items set here can be selectively changed not only the finishing function but also the basic functions of the printer such as image processing parameters, the number of copies, and the paper size.

After the desired settings are completed, the OK key 18
04 returns to the job submitter screen, and when canceling, the cancel key 1805 is used to cancel.

[Device Status] MFP 104, 1
05 or the network interface in the printer 107 is provided with MIB (Management Inf.
and a standardized database called an operation base (SNMP).
e Network Management Prot
ocol) with a computer on a network via a network management protocol called
Necessary information can be exchanged with the document server 102 or the client 103 regarding the status of the devices connected to the network, including the devices 4 and 105.

For example, the function of the MFPs 104 and 105 is detected as to which function the finisher unit 210 having the function is connected, and the status information is detected as to whether an error or jam has occurred, whether printing is being performed, or whether the printer is idle. Information on the MFPs 104 and 105, device status, network settings, job history,
It is possible to obtain all kinds of static information such as management and control of usage status.

FIG. 23 shows the client 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a device status status screen that can be displayed on a third device;

As shown in FIG. 23, a GUI (Graph) of a utility indicating the device status 1901 is displayed.
hic User Interface), for example, MF
When the tab 1902 of P105a is selected, the MFP
The equipment information of the device 105a is a graphic 1903
In steps 1904 and 1905, the state of the apparatus can be determined. Further, details such as equipment information can be known with the detail display key 1907. 1906 is a status, and 1908 and 1909 are buttons.

[Job Status] A display screen example of the job status 2001 will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a device status status screen which can be displayed on the document server 102 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 24, the job status screen is represented by three statuses, a job status 2002 for knowing the status of the job in the document server 102, a print status 2003 for notifying the status of the job passed to the printer, and , A finished job 2004 for notifying the history of the completed job.

The job status 2002 indicates that Waiti
ng (before RIP) or Riping (during RIP), and after RIP, is passed to the next print status.

In the normal status, the print status 2003 indicates Waiting (waiting for printing) or Pr.
Expressed as inting (during printing), if an error or a jam occurs, it is displayed to inform the user of the error and the print is sent to the next finished job.

For the finished job 2004, the history of the job can be viewed.
“ted” and “Canceled” are displayed during cancellation in the middle.

[Job Merge Tool] The job merge tool 2101 in the image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a job merge tool screen in the image processing system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 25, Import / Open
When the first file Chapter-1 is read from the document server 102 or the client 103 or from a device or a floppy (registered trademark) disk connected to the network with the key 2104, the first file Chapter-1 is read into the chapter area 210.
2 is displayed. Next, the Import / Open key 2104 is pressed again to read the second file. This is the second file added to the first file Chapter-1.
File Chapter 2 of Chapter
It is displayed as shown in area 2103. Similarly,
A number of files are added sequentially, and Chapter-
3, Chapter-4, Chapter-5...

Next, the Delete key 2105 is
Use this when you want to delete a pter or Page.
A key 2106 is used when a header, footer, renumbering, or the like is to be attached. Further, the Print key 210
Click 7 to print the merged job,
When the button is clicked, a printer driver as shown in FIG. 20 is activated and printing can be performed. 2108 and 2109 are buttons. [First Job Split] Hereinafter, the data division transfer process (job split transfer process) will be described in detail. There are four types of data splitting (a) to (d) for job splitting in the present embodiment.

Data division (a) is a job division. Job 1 is assigned to MFP 105a, and job 2 is assigned to MFP 105b.
A method of performing load balancing (load balancing) by finding a free printer so that the number of Waiting jobs is relatively small so that the jobs are always equal for each printer and transferring the jobs. is there.

The data division (b) is a division of the number of copies, and is a method of equally dividing the number of copies of one job by a clustered printer. However, if a fraction is found, the fraction is assigned to one of the printers.

Data division (c) is a page division.
This is a method in which pages of one job are equally divided and output by a clustered printer. However, if a fraction is found, the fraction is assigned to one of the printers.

Data division (d) is page division.
In this method, pages of one job are equally divided by a clustered printer, and one of the paired printers outputs one page in order, and the other outputs the last page in order. However, if a fraction is found, the fraction is assigned to one of the printers.

At this time, in the document server 102 or the client 103, the printer is selected for color / monochrome cluster printing by the driver or the destination of the job submitter, and the job is sent to the document server 102. The job processing in the image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the job processing procedure in the document server 102 shown in FIG. In addition, S2201
S2207, S2208a to S2208d, S2209
a to S2209d, S2210, S2211, S221
3 shows each step.

The job sent from the client 103 is once spooled in an external storage device such as a hard disk (not shown) in step S2201, and the processing order is determined in step S2202 in consideration of the job priority and the like. . Next, in step S2203, job processing control is started for the sent job, and the entire job is separated into a color job and a monochrome job. In step S2204, it is determined whether the job is divided and printed. If it is determined that the job is divided and printed, the data division method is determined in step S2206. For example, if it is determined that the load distribution division method is instructed, the device state is checked in step S2207. In S2208a, the output destination is determined,
After the job is divided in accordance with the device in step S2209a, the process advances to step S2205, where print processing control described later is performed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2206 that the division method has been designated as copy division, step S2206 is executed.
In step 2210, the number of divisions is determined. In step S2208b, the output destination is determined. In step S2209b, after the job is divided according to the device, step S220 is performed.
The process proceeds to step S5, where the printing process control described later is performed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2206 that page division has been designated, step S2211 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the division specification according to the device (device-dependent division specification) is specified in advance, and when it is determined that the specification according to the device is specified,
In step S2213, the order of pages is determined. In step S2212b, the number of pages is determined.
In step S2209d, the output destination is determined, and in step S2209d, the job is edited (processing to create a job with a print order instruction adapted to the output destination device in the print order). The control is performed, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2211 that designation corresponding to the device has not been made, the number of pages is determined in step S2212a.
The output destination is determined in step 2208c, and step S2209c
After the job is divided according to the device, the flow advances to step S2205 to perform print processing control described later, and the processing ends.

[Retransmission Processing of First Job] FIG.
With reference to FIG. 7, a job re-transfer process in the image processing system according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention. One of the printers is caused by paper jam or running out of toner during printing by the document server 102 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the retransmission processing procedure for the first job. Note that S2205, S2215 to S2226 indicate each step.

Normally, print processing is controlled in step S2205, and a timer (not shown) is set in step S2215. In step S2216, the output status of the output device is monitored at regular time intervals to determine whether or not the output device has terminated normally. If it is determined that the output device has terminated normally, the process proceeds to step S2216. Proceeding to S2226, the timer is turned off to put the device in a printable state, and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2216 that the output device has not been normally terminated, the process proceeds to step S2216.
In step 217, it is determined whether or not the started timer has timed out. If it is determined that the time has not timed out, the process returns to step S2216. For example, the output device stops abnormally due to a paper jam or the like during output, and is stopped for a predetermined time. If it is determined that the output devices do not return even after the elapse, in step S2218, the status of the paired output devices is checked. In step S2219, it is determined whether all the devices are stopped. If it is determined that the device has stopped, step S2220
Then, the display device of the document server 102 displays the error
The display is performed on the screen, and the process proceeds to step S2226.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2219 that all devices are not stopped, that is, if there is a pair of output devices and it is operable, the document server 102 determines in step S2221 that the stopped output device has been stopped. The number of output sheets in the device is confirmed, and in step S2222, a job of an unoutput portion is re-created in consideration of the printing procedure of the output device to be paired.
In step 2223, the re-created job is transferred to the operable device. In step S2224, the client 103 is notified of the reprint and the stop of the device. In step S2225, the job is transferred to the memory of the stopped output device. The job is cleared and the printing operation starts again.

In the above embodiment, the print processing control step shown in step S2205 shown in FIG. 26 is not described in detail, but different image development processing steps (first or second) in the server device according to the present invention. 2 image development processing step) and transfer control step (first
Or a second transfer control step).

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
In the job split process, that is, the example in which the page order is determined in step S2213 shown in FIG. 26 and then immediately the process of determining the number of pages is executed in step S2212b, the state of the output destination device is detected. Alternatively, the print speed may be weighted for a set of printers having different print speeds, and a print job with a print order instruction may be created for data processing. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

[Second Job Split Processing] FIG. 28
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the second job split processing procedure by the document server 102 illustrated in FIG. Note that S2214 indicates a step, and the other steps, that is, the same steps as the steps illustrated in FIG. 26 are denoted by the same step numbers. The description of the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 26 is omitted.

In the present embodiment, step S shown in FIG.
Unlike the print page allocation method depending on the device status in step 2211, if page division is specified, the process branches in step S2211 to determine whether a division specification according to the device has been specified in advance, and the specification according to the device is specified. If there is, the state of the output destination device is detected in step S2214, and the printing speed is weighted for the printers of different sets of printing speed, and a print job with a printing order instruction is created.

[Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The retransmission processing procedure when one of the printers stops due to a paper jam or running out of toner during printing by the document server 102 shown in FIG. 1 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 27 has been described. In particular, step S2219 shown in FIG.
When it is determined that all the devices are stopped, an error display is performed on the display device of the document server 102 on the screen, and the process proceeds to step S2226. However, the jam processing and the restart of the output device are performed. When the printable state of the output device is confirmed,
The document server 102 may be configured to execute a job recovery process. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the second job retransmission processing procedure by the document server 102 shown in FIG. . In addition,
S2227 indicates a step, and the other steps, that is, the same steps as the steps illustrated in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers. Description of the same processing as that shown in FIG. 27 will be omitted.

In this embodiment, when one of the printers is stopped due to a paper jam or running out of toner during printing, retransmission processing is performed. Normally, print processing control is performed in step S2205, and the timer in step S2215 is set.

In step S2216, the output status of the output device is monitored at regular intervals, and if the output device is normally terminated, the process is terminated and the device is set to a printable state.

However, if the output device stops abnormally due to a paper jam or the like during output and does not return after a certain period of time, the status of the output device to be paired is checked in step S2219. If the paired output device is operable, the document server 102 checks the number of output sheets on the stopped output device in step S2221, and determines in step S2222 the unprinted output device in consideration of the printing procedure of the paired output device. The job of the part is re-created, and in step S2223, each job is transferred to the operable device
In step S2224, the client 103 is notified of the reprint and the stop of the device, and in step S2225, the job transferred to the memory of the stopped output device is cleared, and the printing operation is started again.

In step S2219, if all the devices are stopped, an error is displayed, and then a jam process and restart of the output device are performed. If the printable state of the output device is confirmed, the document server 102 27, unlike the job retransmission process according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 27, after performing the recovery process in step S2227, the process proceeds to step S2226.

[Fourth Embodiment] [First Efficient Retransmission Job Creation Process] Step S2222 shown in FIG.
In the following, an example of a process for creating a retransmission job from a device-dependent non-output portion will be described.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention. The first efficient retransmission job creation processing by the document server 102 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the procedure. Steps S2227 to S2229 indicate steps, and the other steps, that is, the same steps as the steps illustrated in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers.
Description of the same processing as that shown in FIG. 27 will be omitted. This example is an example of realizing efficient printing by transferring print processing waiting data to one output device in a stopped output device.

First, the document server 102 checks the network congestion status in step S2225, checks the RIP status of the stopped device in step S2226, and determines a transfer method with high printing efficiency in step S2227. .

More specifically, in step S2227, it is determined whether the transfer method with high printing efficiency is transfer using RIP completion data or transfer in which all unoutputted parts from the document server 102 are retransmitted. If it is determined that it is more efficient to resend all the non-output parts from the server, in step S2222, the document server 102 reconfigures the non-output partial jobs according to the output order of the operable output devices, Sent to the output device.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2227 that transfer using the RIP completion data is more efficient, the job is edited into a transfer job in step S2228, and after being transferred to an operable device in step S2229, Proceed to step S2222.

[0213] The document server 102 monitors the transfer in step S2229 and the printing process of the output device, and transfers the remaining data of the non-output portion to the operation device after completion.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment,
In step S2227, the transfer method with high printing efficiency is RI
A case has been described in which it is determined whether the transfer is a transfer using P-completed data or a transfer in which the document server 102 retransmits all the unoutputted portions. However, the RIP status of the stopped device is checked, and printing is performed in step S2227. When determining an efficient transfer method, it may be configured to determine whether to transfer all the RIP completion data and optimize the transfer amount of the data to be transferred. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. [Second Efficient Retransmission Job Creation Process] FIG.
13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the image processing system according to the present invention, and corresponds to a first efficient retransmission job creation processing procedure by the document server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. Note that S2227
Steps S2231 to S2231 denote steps, and the same steps as the steps shown in FIG. 27 are denoted by the same step numbers. The description of the same processes as those shown in FIGS. 27 and 30 is omitted. This example is an example of realizing efficient printing by transferring print processing waiting data to one output device in a stopped output device.

First, the document server 102 checks the network congestion status in step S2225, checks the RIP status of the stopped device in step S2226, and determines a transfer method with high printing efficiency in step S2227. .

More specifically, in step S2227, it is determined whether the transfer method with high printing efficiency is transfer using RIP completion data or transfer in which all unoutputted parts are retransmitted from the document server 102. If it is determined that it is more efficient to resend all the non-output parts from the server, in step S2222, the document server 102 reconfigures the non-output partial jobs according to the output order of the operable output devices, Sent to the output device.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2227 that the RIP completion data is to be used, it is further determined in step S2230 whether or not all the RIP completion data is to be transferred, and it is determined that all the RIP completion data is to be transferred. In this case, in step S2228, the job is edited into a transfer job, and in step S2229, the job is transferred to an operable device, and the process returns to step S2222.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2230 that not all of the RIP completion data is transferred,
At 2231, the optimum transfer number is calculated, and step S22 is performed.
Proceed to 28.

[0219] The document server 102 monitors the transfer in step S2229 and the printing process of the output device, and transfers the remaining data of the non-output portion to the operation device after the end.

According to each of the above-described embodiments, a print job can be efficiently collected by uniformly allocating jobs among a plurality of black-and-white printers and between color printers and outputting the jobs in order, and it is also possible to combine printers of different speeds. It is possible to contribute to the improvement of the productivity of the work of further binding and processing the printed matter.

It is needless to say that an embodiment obtained by appropriately combining the embodiments is also within the scope of the present invention.

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

FIG. 32 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the image processing system according to the present invention.

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

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

The functions shown in FIGS. 26 to 31 in this embodiment may be performed 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.

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

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) 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.

[0232]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the forty-fifth aspect, a job is received from a client computer connected to the first network,
A server device capable of communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to the second network or a dedicated interface;
A job distribution unit that distributes a job input from any client computer via the network to any two or more different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses; A plurality of image development processing means for developing each processed job into an image capable of image output; a transfer control means for distributing and transferring the divided jobs developed by each image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus; When any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during transfer of the divided job to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control unit, the stopped image forming apparatus Retransfer control means for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state Is provided, even if an image processing system is constructed by connecting two or more different types of image forming apparatuses on a network, even if a large number of job requests are generated from a client computer, Schedule job processing that makes full use of the characteristics of the image forming apparatus, and perform highly convenient job processing that can expect more efficient processing procedures for output products such as stapling and drilling after image formation output. Even if a failure occurs such that the output state stops in one of the image forming apparatuses in the transfer destination of the divided job, the image processing apparatus continues to use another image forming apparatus and determines that there is no processing in the divided job. Job processing that can output normally jobs successfully.

Also, a job can be received from a client computer connected to the first network and can communicate with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to the second network or a dedicated interface. A first job for outputting a job input from any of the client computers via the first network by an image forming apparatus having a first resolution, and a server for forming an image having a second resolution. Job distributing means for distributing the first job distributed by the job distributing means to a second job output by the apparatus, and first image developing processing for developing the first job distributed to the image at a first resolution Means for expanding the second job distributed by the job distribution means into an image which can be output at a second resolution. A second image development processing means for processing, a first transfer control means for distributing and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus; When any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus by the first transfer control unit, the stopped image forming apparatus is output to the output capable image forming apparatus. And re-transfer control means for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, two or more different types of image forming apparatuses are connected on a network to perform image processing. Even when a system is configured, even if a large number of job requests are issued from client computers, the characteristics of each image forming device are used to the maximum Scheduled job processing to perform highly convenient job processing that can be expected to improve the efficiency of processing procedures for output products such as stapling and drilling after image formation and output, and to select one of the transfer destinations of the divided job. Even if a failure such that the output state stops in one of the image forming apparatuses occurs, the unprocessed job in the divided job can be output normally using another image forming apparatus. Job processing with excellent convenience can be performed.

Therefore, by uniformly allocating jobs to a plurality of monochrome printers and color printers and outputting the jobs in order, it is possible to efficiently collect printed materials, combine printers of different speeds, and further bind printed materials. It has excellent effects such as being able to contribute to the improvement of the productivity of the work of forming and processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system to which a server device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional image processing system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of a scanner unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner IP unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an NIC unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer IP unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PWM unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

11 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of the PWM unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of the color MFP shown in FIG.

13 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the monochrome MFP shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configuration of a finisher unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the document server shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a PD in the image processing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an L image and an image generated from the PDL data.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the flow of data on the network shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanner operation screen displayed on a display device connected to the server computer or the client computer in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer operation screen displayed on a display device connected to the server computer or the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a job submitter setting screen displayed on the client computer shown in FIG.

22 is a diagram showing an example of a job submitter setting screen displayed on the client computer shown in FIG. 1 or a job ticket setting screen displayed by a property key instruction on a printer driver setting screen.

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of a device status status screen which can be displayed on the client computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a device status status screen which can be displayed on the document server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a job merge tool screen in the image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 shows a first example of the image processing system according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 27 shows a second example of the image processing system according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the image processing system according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of the image processing system according to the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 30 is a fifth view in the image processing system according to the present invention;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 31 is a sixth view of the image processing system according to the present invention;
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101a Public network 101b Private network 102 Document server 103 Client 104a, 104b MFP 105 Monochrome MFP 106 Scanner 107 Printer

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AR01 HH09 HJ06 HK19 HQ14 HQ17 HR07 HR08 HV09 HV14 HV18 HV22 HV48 HV58 5B021 AA01 BB01 BB10 CC05 EE04 5C062 AA05 AC21 A35

Claims (45)

[Claims] A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. A job distribution unit that distributes a job input from a client computer via the first network to at least two different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses; A plurality of image development processing means for developing each of the jobs distributed by the job distribution means into an image capable of image output; and distributing and transferring the divided jobs developed by each of the image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus. Transfer control means, and each image forming apparatus by the transfer control means. That in split job transfer, if any of the image forming apparatus is changed from the output state to the stopped state, the output can be an image forming apparatus, based on the output state of the image forming apparatus is stopped,
And a retransfer control unit for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus. 2. A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. An apparatus, wherein a job input from a client computer via the first network is output by a first job output by a first resolution image forming apparatus, and output by a second resolution image forming apparatus. A job distribution unit that distributes the first job and the second job, a first image development processing unit that develops the first job distributed by the job distribution unit into an image that can be output as an image at a first resolution, A second image for expanding the second job distributed by the job distribution unit into an image that can be output at a second resolution. Image development processing means; first transfer control means for distributing and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing means to an optimal image forming apparatus; and first transfer control If any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus by the means, the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus is changed to the output enabled image forming apparatus. And a retransfer control unit for transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transfer control unit sequentially outputs, from the first page, one of the pair of image forming apparatuses formed to output the divided jobs. 3. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the page output order is controlled such that the page output order is output to the other image forming apparatus in reverse order from the end. 4. A storage unit for storing a page output order of each of the paired image forming apparatuses, and monitoring an image output state of each of the paired image forming apparatuses to form one of the paired image forming apparatuses. When the image output state of the apparatus is stopped, after a lapse of a predetermined time, a job in a print order adapted to the image forming apparatus is re-transferred to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting an unoutput portion as an image. 3. The server device according to claim 2, further comprising: transfer control means. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transfer control unit reconstructs and transfers the job so that the job is output in the same order as the job distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting the image. Item 5. The server device according to item 4. 6. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the image development processing units performs a separate image development process simultaneously. 7. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the first image expansion processing unit and the second image expansion processing unit respectively execute different image expansion processes simultaneously. 8. The job distributing means distributes, on a page basis, a job managed in advance on a page basis or a job converted from a job not managed on a page basis into a job managed on a page basis. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the job distribution unit converts the job managed in advance on a page basis or the job converted from the job managed on a page basis into a job managed on a page basis in a page-by-page manner. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the server device is distributed to the server. 10. The server device according to claim 2, wherein the resolution of the first image processing unit is lower than the resolution of the second image processing unit. 11. The server according to claim 1, wherein the resolution of any one of the plurality of image processing units is lower than the resolution of the other image processing units. apparatus. 12. The retransfer control unit retransfers a divided job distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on a congestion state of the second network and an output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein: 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retransfer control unit is capable of transferring the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. Server device. 14. The re-transfer control means, based on the congestion state of the second network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus, outputs a non-output job in a divided job allocated to the stopped image forming apparatus. 3. The server device according to claim 1, wherein a job is transferred. 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the retransfer control unit reedits the output order of the non-output jobs in the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatuses.
15. The server device according to any one of 14. 16. A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. An apparatus job processing method, comprising: distributing a job input from a client computer via the first network to any two or more different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses. Steps: a plurality of image development processing steps for developing the jobs distributed by the job distribution step into images that can be output as images; and an optimal image forming apparatus for dividing the divided jobs developed by the image development processing steps. A transfer control step for distributing and transferring to When any of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state during the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus in the transfer control step, the output of the stopped image forming apparatus is output to the output enabled image forming apparatus. A retransfer control step of transferring a divided job distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on a state. 17. A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. A job processing method for an apparatus, comprising: a first job for outputting a job input from a client computer via the first network by an image forming apparatus having a first resolution; A job distribution step of distributing the first job distributed by the apparatus to a second job to be output by the apparatus; and a first image development processing of developing the first job distributed by the job distribution step into an image capable of image output at a first resolution. And outputting the second job distributed by the job distribution step at a second resolution. Second image development processing step for developing processing into a functional image, and first transfer control for distributing and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing step to an optimal image forming apparatus During the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus by the first transfer control step, when any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, A retransfer control step of transferring a divided job allocated to the stopped image forming apparatus based on an output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first transfer control step is performed for one of the pair of image forming apparatuses formed to output the divided jobs.
18. The job processing method for a server device according to claim 17, wherein the page output order is controlled so that the pages are output sequentially from the first page and output to the other image forming apparatus in reverse order from the end. 19. A storage step of storing the page output order of each paired image forming apparatus in a storage unit, and monitoring an image output state of each paired image forming apparatus, and When the image output state of the image forming apparatus has stopped, after a certain period of time, the job in the printing order matching the image forming apparatus is re-transferred to the other image forming apparatus capable of outputting the unoutputted portion. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a second transfer control step. 20. The method according to claim 20, wherein in the second transfer control step, the job is reconstructed and transferred in the same output order as the job previously distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image. Item 20. The job processing method of the server device according to Item 19. 21. The job processing method for a server device according to claim 16, wherein each of the image development processing steps performs different image development processing simultaneously. 22. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the first image development processing step and the second image development processing step respectively perform different image development processing simultaneously.
The job processing method of the server device described in the above. 23. The job distributing means distributes, on a page basis, a job managed in advance on a page basis or a job converted from a job not managed on a page basis into a job managed on a page basis. 18. The job processing method for a server device according to claim 16, wherein: 24. The job distributing step, in which a job managed in advance in pages or a job in which a job not managed in units of page is converted into a job managed in units of page, is equally processed in units of pages. 18. The job processing method for a server device according to claim 16, wherein the job is distributed to the server. 25. The job processing method according to claim 17, wherein a resolution of the first image development processing step is lower than a resolution of the second image development processing step. 26. The server according to claim 16, wherein the resolution of any one of the plurality of image development processing steps is lower than the resolution of the other image development processing steps. Device job processing method. 27. The method according to claim 27, wherein the retransfer control step comprises:
18. The server apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the divided job distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus is retransferred based on the congestion state of the network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. Job processing method. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the retransfer control step is capable of transferring the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. Job processing method of the server device. 29. The method according to claim 29, wherein the retransfer control step comprises:
18. The non-output job among the divided jobs allocated to the stopped image forming apparatus is transferred based on the congestion state of the network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. Job processing method of the server device. 30. The re-transfer control step of re-editing an output order of a non-output job in a divided job allocated to the stopped image forming apparatus.
30. The job processing method of the server device according to any one of 7 to 29. 31. A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. A job distribution step of distributing a job input from a client computer via the first network to any two or more different types of image forming apparatuses among the image forming apparatuses; A plurality of image development processing steps for developing the jobs distributed by the steps into images each capable of outputting an image; and a transfer for distributing and transferring the divided jobs developed by the image development processing steps to an optimal image forming apparatus. Control step; and the transfer control step During the division job transfer to each image forming apparatus, when any one of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the output capable image forming apparatus is notified based on the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. A retransfer control step of transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus; and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the retransfer control step. 32. A server capable of receiving a job from a client computer connected to a first network and communicating with at least two or more different types of image forming apparatuses connected to a second network or a dedicated interface. A first job for outputting a job input from the client computer via the first network by the image forming apparatus having the first resolution, and a second job for outputting the job inputted by the image forming apparatus having the second resolution. A job distribution step of distributing the first job distributed by the job distribution step, a first image development processing step of developing the first job distributed to an image that can be output at a first resolution, and the job distribution Developing the second job distributed by the step into an image that can be output at a second resolution A second image development processing step, a first transfer control step of allocating and transferring each divided job developed by the first or second image development processing step to an optimal image forming apparatus, and During transfer of a divided job to each image forming apparatus by the transfer control step, if any of the image forming apparatuses changes from the output enabled state to the stopped state, the stopped image forming apparatus And a retransfer control step of transferring the divided jobs distributed to the stopped image forming apparatus based on the output state. 33. The first transfer control step, wherein one of the pair of image forming apparatuses formed to output the divided jobs distributed is one for each of the image forming apparatuses.
33. The storage medium of a server device according to claim 32, wherein the page output order is controlled so that the page is sequentially output from the page and output to the other image forming apparatus in reverse order from the end. 34. A storage step of storing, in a storage unit, the page output order of each of the paired image forming apparatuses, and monitoring the image output state of each of the paired image forming apparatuses. When the image output state of the image forming apparatus has stopped, after a certain period of time, the job in the printing order matching the image forming apparatus is re-transferred to the other image forming apparatus capable of outputting the unoutputted portion. 33. The storage medium according to claim 32, further comprising: a second transfer control step. 35. The method according to claim 35, wherein in the second transfer control step, the job is reconstructed and transferred in the same output order as the job previously distributed to the image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image. Item 34. The storage medium according to Item 34. 36. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein each image development processing step performs different image development processing simultaneously. 37. The image processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the first image development processing step and the second image development processing step respectively perform different image development processing simultaneously.
The storage medium according to the above. 38. The job distributing means distributes a job which is managed in advance in pages or a job which is converted from a job which is not managed in units of page to a job which is managed in units of page, in units of page. 33. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein: 39. The job distributing step comprises: converting a job managed in advance in units of pages or a job not managed in units of pages into a job managed in units of pages; 33. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein the storage medium is distributed to a storage medium. 40. The storage medium according to claim 32, wherein the resolution of said first image development processing step is lower than the resolution of said second image development processing step. 41. The storage according to claim 31, wherein the resolution of any one of the plurality of image development processing steps is lower than the resolution of the other image development processing steps. Medium. 42. The re-transfer control step, wherein
33. The storage medium according to claim 31, wherein a divided job assigned to the stopped image forming apparatus is retransferred based on the congestion state of the network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. 43. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein in the retransfer control step, the divided job transferred from the stopped image forming apparatus can be transferred to another image forming apparatus capable of outputting the divided job. Storage media. 44. The retransmission control step, wherein the retransmission control step comprises:
33. The non-output job among the divided jobs allocated to the stopped image forming apparatus is transferred based on the congestion state of the network and the output state of the stopped image forming apparatus. Storage media. 45. The method according to claim 4, wherein the retransfer control step reedits an output order of a non-output job among the divided jobs allocated to the stopped image forming apparatuses.
45. The storage medium according to any one of 2 to 44.