JP2003058356A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically perform a priority print processing when a plurality of pieces of print data are inputted in an image processor. SOLUTION: Priority about the respective interfaces is preset in a resource control part 17. When print data B is transmitted from a host computer 4 while a print processing of print data A transmitted from a host computer 3 via a network 5 is performed, the priority is confirmed in the resource control part 17. When the priority of a second interface 12 is higher than that of a first interface 11 as a confirmation result, the print processing of the print data A is interrupted by unit of job and the print processing of the print data B is started. Then, the print processing of the print data A is restarted after completion of the print processing of the print data B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a plurality of interfaces.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image processing apparatus (eg printer)
Is an apparatus that receives print data from an externally connected information processing apparatus (for example, a personal computer or the like), performs image forming processing (print processing) on the print data, and prints the print data on paper. This image processing apparatus usually has a plurality of interfaces for inputting print data from the outside.

The print data externally input through the plurality of interfaces are printed in the order of input.
For example, other print data input during the print processing of one print data is temporarily stored in the memory, and after the print processing of one print data is completed, it is taken out of the memory and subjected to the print processing. It This allows the image processing apparatus to input other print data even while one print data is being printed.

By the way, image processing apparatuses in recent years are
In order to be able to input print data from various devices, lines, etc., many have a plurality of interfaces of different formats. Of these multiple interfaces, for example,
A parallel interface, a serial interface, etc. are connected to the information processing device in the same room and input print data. Also, the interface for network connection is
It is connected to an information processing device installed at a remote place via a network and receives print data.

[0005]

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, since the order of the print processing is determined according to the order in which the print data is input, the print processing of the print data input later is performed first. It was not started until after the print processing of the print data input to was completed. Therefore, when a large amount of print data is input first, a considerable amount of time is required until the print processing of the print data input later is started.

Further, a person who uses an information processing apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus via a network (a remote user) usually uses the information processing apparatus in order to minimize the trouble of going to the printed matter to the image processing apparatus. A large amount of print data was sent at one time, and after a considerable amount of time had passed, the prints were to be picked up.

Furthermore, since the remote user is located away from the image processing apparatus, it is impossible to know whether the image processing apparatus is currently performing print processing. Therefore, not only does the remote user not need to perform the interrupt operation by himself / herself, but the other user does not suffer any damage even if interrupt printing is performed.

On the other hand, a person who uses the information processing apparatus installed in the same room as the image processing apparatus (short-distance user) determines whether or not the print processing is completed because the image processing apparatus is located at a close range. Can be easily recognized. From this, the short-distance user has a feeling that he wants to obtain a printed matter immediately after transmitting the print data.

However, when the image processing apparatus is performing print processing on the print data of another person, the short-distance user cannot get his / her own printed matter until the processing is completed. In this case, the short-distance user should know where the other print data came from, and
It was not possible to know when the print processing of the print data of another person ends. Therefore, it is inconvenient if the user wants to use his or her printed matter immediately.

In particular, in the conventional image processing apparatus, the print data B externally input is printed during the print processing of the print data A within a predetermined time after the print processing of the print data A is completed, for example. It was a case where the next print data was not externally input through the interface that externally input the print data A within 30 seconds. For this reason, it is difficult for a short-distance user to predict when the print processing of print data from another person will end, and it is necessary to wait until the print processing of another person who does not know when it will end There was an inconvenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus provided in the same room is more preferable than a print processing of print data transmitted via a network. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that automatically gives priority to a print process of print data that has been sent and performs interrupt printing.

Another prior art example of an image processing apparatus having an interrupt printing function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-353132 as a printing apparatus. The printing device disclosed in this publication has a job management tool in which an interrupt printing operation is performed by a user. That is, the user needs to perform a predetermined operation using the job management tool every time interrupt printing is performed, which is complicated. Therefore, the above-mentioned object could not be achieved even in this conventional technique.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a plurality of interfaces for inputting print data. A data reception control unit for inputting print data, a resource control unit for inputting print data from the data reception control unit, and setting a priority of print processing for each of a plurality of interfaces, and a priority from this resource control unit And a print processing unit that prints the print data from the resource control unit, and the resource control unit controls the data reception during the print processing of one print data in the print processing unit. When other print data is input from a copy unit, the priority of one interface that input one print data and the other print data are input. When the priority of another interface is higher than the priority of one interface as a result of the comparison in the resource control unit, the print processing unit compares the priority of the other interface with the priority storage unit and compares them. , Interrupt the printing process of one print data,
The print processing of other print data is started.

When the image processing apparatus has such a configuration,
Since the priority is set for each interface, if you want to always give priority to one of the multiple print data for print processing, set the host computer or network that sends the print data. By connecting to the interface with high priority, it is possible to automatically give priority to the print processing of the one print data.

Therefore, for example, by connecting the information processing device owned by the remote user to the interface having a low priority and the information processing device owned by the short-distance user to the interface having a high priority, respectively. Even when the user uses the image processing apparatus, the short-distance user can preferentially cause the image processing apparatus to print the print data of the user.

According to another aspect of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of interfaces include a parallel interface and an interface connected to the network, and the resource control unit connects the priority of the parallel interface to the network. It is configured to be set higher than the priority of the interface.

If the image processing apparatus has such a configuration,
It is possible to cause the image processing apparatus to print the print data input through the parallel interface with priority over the print data input through the network connection interface. Therefore, even when the image processing device is used by the remote user, the short-distance user can print the print data transmitted from the information processing device of his / her own regardless of the time when the print processing by the remote user ends. Data can be automatically and preferentially printed by the image processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the image processing device of the present invention, the plurality of interfaces include a parallel interface, a serial interface, and an interface connected to the network, and the resource control unit controls the parallel interface priority and the serial interface. The configuration is such that the priority of the interface is set higher than the priority of the interface connected to the network.

When the image processing apparatus has such a configuration,
The image processing apparatus can print the print data input through the parallel interface or the serial interface with priority over the print data input through the network connection interface. Therefore, the information processing device provided in the same room as the image processing device is connected to the parallel interface or the serial interface, and the information processing device separated from the image processing device is connected to the network connection interface. It is possible to cause the processing device to print the print data from the information processing device in the same room with priority over the print data from the separated information processing device.

Further, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the image processing apparatus comprises a printer.
When the image processing apparatus is configured as described above, even in a printer having a plurality of interfaces, the priority is set for each interface, and therefore the order of the print processing for a plurality of print data is determined based on this priority. it can.

Therefore, for example, by connecting the information processing device owned by the short-distance user to the interface of high priority and the information processing device owned by the remote user to the interface of low priority, the short-distance user can , You can get the printed matter immediately after sending the print data,
On the other hand, the remote user is not damaged even if the short-distance user performs interrupt printing.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows
It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an image processing apparatus of this embodiment, and a peripheral device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a first interface 11, a second interface 12, and
The data reception control unit 13, the first information storage unit 14, the second information storage unit 15, the print data storage unit 16, the resource control unit 17, the data analysis unit 18, and the image forming unit 19.
And a print control unit 20.

The first interface (network connection interface) 11 is connected to a host computer 3 (described later) via a network 5 (described later) and receives print data from the host computer 3. The first interface 11 can be a V series interface, an X series interface, an I series interface, or the like depending on the type of the network 5 connected.

The second interface (parallel interface) 12 is directly connected to the host computer 4 (described later) and receives print data from the host computer 4. The second interface 12 includes a parallel interface such as IEEE1284, I
DE (Integrated device elec)
tronics), SCSI (Small compu
ter system interface) or the like can be used.

The image processing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. 1 as a first interface 11 and a second interface 1.
Although it has two interfaces of two, it is not limited to two and can have three or more. In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 may be provided with one or both of the network connection interface and the parallel interface. In addition to the printer, the image processing apparatus 1 includes printer functions, copying, facsimile,
It includes so-called multi-function peripherals having functions such as a scanner.

Further, in FIG. 1, the first interface 11 is connected to the host computer 3 via the network 5, and the second interface 12 is
Although it is directly connected to the host computer 4, it is not limited to such a connection, and for example, both the first interface 11 and the second interface 12 are
It is also possible to connect to a host computer via a network. However, in this case, the first interface 1
Network connected to 1 and second interface 12
May be different from each other (for example, one is the Internet and the other is a company LAN).

Further, both the first interface 11 and the second interface 12 can be directly connected to the host computer. Further, for inputting print data in the first interface 11 and the second interface 12, reception of print data in the first interface 11 and the second interface 12 (for example, reception of print data transmitted from the network 5) is performed. Including.

The data reception control unit 13 detects the print data from the first interface 11 and the second interface 12, and sends it to the resource control unit 17. The data reception control unit 13 can input print data from a plurality of interfaces.

The first information storage unit (network connection information storage unit) 14 includes setting data dependent on the network 5.
For example, setting data such as emulation = PCL is stored. The first information storage unit (network connection information storage unit) 14 stores the priority of the first interface 11. Therefore, the first information storage unit 14 has a function as a priority storage unit.

The second information storage section (parallel connection information storage section) 15 stores setting data relating to the second interface 12, for example, setting data such as emulation = PCPR201. This setting data differs for each interface. The second information storage unit (parallel connection information storage unit) 15 stores the priority of the second interface 12. Therefore, the second information storage unit 15 has a function as a priority storage unit.

The interface priority can be stored in a storage unit different from the first information storage unit 14 and the second information storage unit 15. The print data storage unit 16 is
The print data sent from the resource control unit 17 is stored.

When the print data is input from the data reception control unit 13, the resource control unit 17 determines which interface (first interface 11 and second interface 12) the print data was input. Then, the resource control unit 17 takes out the setting data relating to the interface into which the print data is input from the first information storage unit 14 or the second information storage unit 15 and sends it to the data analysis unit 18.

Specifically, when the print data is the one input through the first interface 11, the resource control unit 17 causes the first information storage unit 14 to access the network 5
Retrieve the setting data that depends on. On the other hand, when the print data is input through the second interface 12, the resource control unit 17 retrieves the setting data regarding the second interface 12 from the second information storage unit 15.

Further, the resource control unit 17 receives the print data B from one interface while the print data A from one interface is being printed, and then the resource control unit 17 receives the print data B from the other interface. (2) The priority of each interface is extracted from the information storage unit 15 and compared.

Then, as a result of the comparison, the resource control unit 17 continues the printing process of the print data A when the priority of one interface is higher than the priority of the other interface. In this case, the resource control unit 17 sends the print data B from another interface to the print data storage unit 16 to store the print data B, and retrieves the print data B from the print data storage unit 16 after the print processing of the print data A is completed. To the data analysis unit 18 to start the printing process.

On the other hand, when the priority of the other interface is higher than that of one interface, the print processing of the print data A is interrupted, the print data B is sent to the data analysis section 18, and the print processing is started. Let In this case, the resource control unit 17 sends the print data A, which has not been printed due to the interruption, to the print data storage unit 16 and stores it. Then, after the print processing of the print data B is completed,
The print data A is taken out from the print data storage unit 16 and sent to the data analysis unit 18 to restart the print processing of the print data A.

Further, the resource control unit 17 sets the priority for each interface. The priority refers to a parameter for determining whether or not to perform the print process with priority over other print data. And this priority differs for every interface. For this reason, a plurality of print data input through the same interface are processed according to the input order, but a plurality of print data input through different interfaces have priority levels set in the input interface. Based on this, the order of printing processing is determined.

The setting of the priority in the resource control unit 17 is a parameter (priority) set / changed using a display panel (not shown) provided in the image processing apparatus 1.
Is stored in the first information storage unit 14 and the second information storage unit 15. In the present invention, the priority of the second interface 12 is set higher than the priority of the first interface.
In addition, the smaller the numerical value of the priority, the higher the priority.

The data analysis unit 18 includes a resource control unit 17
The print data is analyzed using the setting data from. The image forming unit 19 forms an image of the print data from the data analysis unit 18 and sends it to the print control unit 20. Print control unit 20
Prints the data image-formed by the image forming unit 19 on a sheet. Then, the printing paper is discharged to the outside.

The processing in the resource control unit 17, the data analysis unit 18, the image forming unit 19, and the print control unit 20 is performed for each job. Further, in the present invention, the print processing means the resource control unit 17, the data analysis unit 18,
The processes performed by the image forming unit 19 and the print control unit 20 are each process for printing print data on a sheet. Further, in the present invention, the data analysis unit 18, the image forming unit 19, and the print control unit 20 are collectively referred to as a print processing unit.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 can be provided with a priority setting section 21 for setting / changing the priority using a host computer or the like.
The priority setting unit 21 inputs the data sent from the host computer (the host computer 3 and the host computer 4) via the data reception control unit 13, and out of this data, the data related to the setting of the priority (priority Degree setting data) and sends an instruction signal to the resource control unit 17 according to the instruction content of the priority setting data.

The priority setting data has contents of instruction such as display and resetting of the priority. In the display of the priority among the instruction contents, the currently set priority is retrieved from the information storage unit (one or both of the first information storage unit 14 and the second information storage unit 15), and the priority of the host computer is displayed. It is an instruction for displaying on a display unit (not shown).

As a method of displaying the priority, there are the following methods. The priority setting data having the display of the priority as the instruction content is transferred from the host computer 3 via the interface and the data reception control unit 13 to the priority setting unit 21.
Sent to. The priority setting section 21 confirms the instruction content of the priority setting data. When the content of this instruction is the display of the priority, the priority setting section 21 sends an instruction signal to the resource control section 17 to take out the currently set priority from the information storage section.

Based on the input of this instruction signal, the resource control unit 17 extracts the priority from the information storage unit and sends it to the priority setting unit 21. Further, the priority is sent from the priority setting section 21 to the host computer via the data reception control section 13 and the interface, and is displayed on the display section of the host computer.

Further, in the instruction contents, the priority is reset by setting the priority (old priority) stored in the information storage unit.
This is an instruction for rewriting to the priority (new priority) input by the host computer. As a method of resetting the priority, there are the following methods. The new priority input by the host computer is sent to the priority setting unit 21 via the interface and data reception control unit 13 together with the priority setting data having the instruction content to reset the priority.

The priority setting section 21 confirms the instruction content of the priority setting data. When the content of this instruction is the priority setting, the priority setting unit 21 sends an instruction signal to the resource control unit 17 to rewrite the old priority to the new priority together with the new priority. Based on the input of this instruction signal, the resource control unit 17 erases the old priority stored in the information storage unit and newly stores the new priority. In this case, the fact that the new priority has been rewritten can be displayed on the display unit of the host computer.

The instruction contents of the priority setting data include
It can include a new setting of priority. The new setting of the priority means that the priority is not stored in the information storage unit of the image processing apparatus 1 (for example, when the image processing apparatus 1 is activated for the first time), and the new priority is sent from the host computer and stored. It means to let.

Even when the host computer 3 is connected to the first interface 11 and the host computer 4 is connected to the second interface 12 of the image processing apparatus 1, the host computer 3 gives priority to the second interface 12. You can also reset the degree. Furthermore, by sending the priority setting data together with the print data, it is possible to perform the print processing only for this print data with priority over the print data input through another interface.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 is connected to a host computer (host computer 3 and host computer 4) via a network 5 or directly. The host computer is an information processing terminal that transmits print information to the image processing apparatus 1, and for example, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, or the like is used.

Of the host computers, the host computer 3 is a place separated from the image processing apparatus 1 (for example, in a building different from the building in which the image processing apparatus 1 is installed, or in a building in which the image processing apparatus 1 is installed). It is provided on different floors or different rooms in the same building)
It is connected to the first interface 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 via the network 5. On the other hand, the host computer 4 is provided in a place near the image processing apparatus 1 (for example, the same room as the room in which the image processing apparatus 1 is installed).
It is connected to the second interface 12 of the image processing apparatus 1.

As the network 5, any suitable public line, commercial line or leased line known in the related art can be used. The network 5 includes, for example, an internet line network, an intranet network, and a LAN (Local A).
REA Network, WAN (Wide Are)
a Network), analog telephone network, digital telephone network (for example, ISDN (Integral Ser)
Vice Digital Network) and wireless communication networks (eg, mobile phone network, PHS (Per)
It is possible to use such as a personal Handyphone System) and satellite broadcasting).

Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the operation procedure in the image processing apparatus of the present embodiment. The priority of each interface is set in advance in the resource control unit 17 (step 10).

First, in one interface (for example, the first interface 11) of the image processing apparatus 1,
Print data A ([N-1] job to [N-n] job)
Is input (step 11). The input print data A is transferred to the resource control unit 1 via the data reception control unit 13.
Sent to 7.

The resource control unit 17 determines which interface the input print data A was input into. As a result of the determination, when the information is input through one interface (for example, the first interface 11), information related to this one interface (for example, information depending on the network 5) is stored in the information storage unit (for example, the first interface 11). One information storage unit 14) is taken out.

Then, the print data A is sent from the resource control unit 17 to the data analysis unit 18 together with the information about one interface, and the data is analyzed.
The image is formed as a print image by the image forming unit 19 and is printed by the print control unit 20 (step 12, print data A).
A series of printing process). The print processing of this print data A is
[N-1] jobs are sequentially performed.

Then, in another interface of the image processing apparatus 1 (for example, the second interface 12),
The print data B ([P-1] job) is input (step 13). Note that this print data B ([P-1] job) corresponds to the [N-1] job to [N-n] of the print data A.
It is assumed that the job is input when the print processing of the [N-3] job of the jobs is completed.

The print data B ([P
-1] job) is sent to the resource control unit 17 via the data reception control unit 13. The resource control unit 17 that has input the print data B determines whether or not the print data A is being printed (step 14).

As a result of the judgment, if the print data A is not being printed, that is, if the print data A is [N-
[n] If all the jobs have been completed, then the printing process of the print data B is started (step 15).
Then, in the image processing apparatus 1, the print processing of the print data B is performed until the end (step 16).

On the other hand, when the print processing is in process, the resource control unit 17 determines that the priority A of the print data A is from one information storage unit (for example, the first information storage unit 14) and that the print data B is of the priority A. The priority B is retrieved from another information storage unit (for example, the second information storage unit 15) (step 17).

Then, the resource control unit 17 compares the extracted priority A and priority B (step 18). As a result of the comparison, when the priority B is lower than the priority A, the print processing of the print data A is continued,
After the printing process is completed, the printing process of the print data B is started, and then the process is completed (step 19, step 2).
0, step 15, step 16). In this case, the print data B is stored in the print data storage unit 16 until the printing process is started.

On the other hand, when the priority B is higher than the priority A, the print processing of the print data A is interrupted and the print data B is
Printing process is started (step 21, step 2)
2). In this case, of the interrupted print data A, a job for which print processing has not been performed (in the present invention, [N
-4] job to [N-n] job) until the print processing of the print data B is completed.
Memorized in.

Further, in the resource control unit 17, the setting data (for example, the setting data for the parallel I / F) related to the other interface (for example, the second interface 12) into which the print data B is input is stored in the information storage unit (for example, , Second information storage unit 15). Then, from the resource control unit 17 to the data analysis unit 1
The print data B and the setting data relating to the other interface are sent to 8.

After that, the print data B is analyzed by the data analysis unit 18, formed as a print image by the image forming unit 19, and printed by the print control unit 20. Moreover,
In the image processing apparatus 1, the print processing of the print data B is
The process is performed until the end (step 23).

After the print processing of the print data B is completed, the print processing of the print data A is restarted (step 2).
4). Upon this restart, the resource control unit 17 sequentially fetches the print data A (from [N-4] job to [N-n] job) from the print data storage unit 16 and also uses one interface (for example, the first interface). The setting data (for example, the setting data depending on the network) related to one interface 11) is extracted from the information storage unit (for example, the first information storage unit 14) and sent to the data analysis unit 18.

Thereafter, in the image processing apparatus 1, the print processing of the print data A is performed until the end ([N-4] job to [N-n] job) (step 25). By determining the order of print processing of a plurality of print data by such a method, the print data input by the interface with a high priority is set to the image processing apparatus.
The print processing can be performed with priority over the print data input through the interface set to have a low priority. Since the print processing based on this priority is automatically performed, the user of the image processing apparatus can eliminate the complexity of the interrupt operation.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment and the configurations of peripheral devices connected to the image processing apparatus.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that
The internal configuration of the image processing device is different. That is, in the first embodiment, the image processing device has two interfaces and two information storage units, whereas in the present embodiment, the image processing device has three interfaces and three information storage units. is doing. Other components are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in FIG.
Constituent parts similar to those are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 1 has a third interface 22 and a third information storage section 23. The third interface (serial interface) 22 is connected to the information processing device 6 and is a serial interface such as a USB (Univers).
al serial bus), IEEE1394, I
rDA (Infrareddata associate)
Ion), RS-232C (Recommended)
standard 232C), RS-422 (Rec
Ommended standard 422) or the like can be used.

The information processing device 6 includes the third interface 2
2 is a device that can be serially connected to the device 2, and includes, for example, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a scanner, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, or the like. The information processing device 6 also sends print data to the image processing device 1.

The third information storage section (serial connection information storage section) 23 stores setting data relating to the third interface 22. Further, the third information storage unit 23 stores the priority of the third interface 22. Therefore, the third information storage unit 23 has a function as a priority storage unit.

The data reception controller 13 inputs print data from the first interface 11, the second interface 12 and the third interface 22, respectively. The resource control unit 17 sets priorities for the first interface 11, the second interface 12, and the third interface 22, respectively.

The set priorities can be different values for the first interface 11, the second interface 12, and the third interface 22.
Further, in the present invention, the priority of the second interface 12 and the third interface 22 is set higher than the priority of the first interface 11.

By setting the priorities of the first interface 11, the second interface 12, and the third interface 22 in this way, the print data input through the second interface 12 and the third interface 22 can be transferred to the first interface. The print processing can be performed with priority over the print data input in 11.

Therefore, for example, when the short-distance user sends print data to the image processing apparatus 1 by the information processing device 6 and the remote user sends the print data to the image processing device 1 by the host computer 3 via the network 5, respectively. Since the print data is printed prior to the print data of the remote user, the short-distance user can obtain the printed matter immediately after transmitting the print data.

The operation procedure of the image processing apparatus 1 in the present invention is almost the same as the operation procedure of the image processing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment. However, the first interface 11
Even when the print data (the print data B and the print data C, respectively) are input at the second interface 12 and the third interface 22 or at the same time during the print processing of the print data A input at
The priority regarding print data A, the priority regarding print data B, and the priority regarding print data C are compared.

That is, first, the priority A regarding the print data A and the priority B regarding the print data B are compared. Next, as a result of the comparison between the priority A and the priority B, the priority determined to be higher than the others is compared with the priority C regarding the print data C.

As a result of the comparison, when the priority of the print data A is the highest, the print processing of the print data A is continued. On the other hand, when the priority of the print data B is the highest, the print processing of the print data A is interrupted and the print processing of the print data B is started. In this case, of the print data A, the print-unprocessed job and the print data C are stored in the print data storage unit 16.

On the other hand, when the priority of the print data C is the highest, the print processing of the print data A is interrupted and the print processing of the print data C is started. In this case, of the print data A, the job that has not been subjected to print processing and the print data B are stored in the print data storage unit 16.

If the image processing apparatus has such a configuration,
Even in an image processing apparatus having three interfaces, the order of print processing can be automatically determined based on the priorities set in those interfaces. further,
Since the priority of the parallel interface and the serial interface is set to be higher than that of the network connection interface, the print data of the short distance user is printed with priority over the print data of the remote user.

Therefore, the short-distance user can immediately obtain the printed matter of his / her own print data without waiting until the print processing of the print data of the remote user is completed. Moreover, since the priority printing process in the image processing apparatus is automatically performed, the short-distance user can eliminate the complexity of the operation of the priority printing process.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the image processing apparatus has the priority set for each interface, during the print processing of the print data input through the interface having a low priority, When another print data is input through the interface having a high priority, the print processing of the print data during the print processing can be automatically interrupted and the print processing of the other print data can be started.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of another image processing apparatus and a configuration of peripheral devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image processing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image processing apparatus and a configuration of peripheral devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image Processing Device 11 First Interface (Network Connection Interface) 12 Second Interface (Parallel Interface) 13 Data Reception Control Unit 14 First Information Storage Unit (Network Connection Information Storage Unit) 15 Second Information Storage Unit (Parallel Connection Information Storage) 16) print data storage unit 17 resource control unit 18 data analysis unit 19 image forming unit 20 print control unit 21 priority setting unit 22 third interface (serial interface) 23 third information storage unit (serial connection information storage unit) 3 Host computer 4 Host computer 5 Network 6 Information processing device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of interfaces for externally inputting print data, comprising a data reception control unit for inputting the print data from the plurality of interfaces, and the data reception control unit for outputting the print data. A resource control unit that inputs and sets the priority of print processing for each of the plurality of interfaces, a priority storage unit that stores the priority from the resource control unit, and the print data from the resource control unit A print processing unit for performing print processing, wherein the resource control unit, when the print processing of one of the print data is performed in the print processing unit, the other print data from the data reception control unit. , The priority of the one interface that externally input the print data and the other print data are excluded. The input priority of the other interface is extracted from the priority storage unit and compared, and the print processing unit determines that the priority of the other interface is the result of the comparison in the resource control unit. An image processing apparatus, which suspends the print processing of the one print data and starts the print processing of the other print data when the priority is higher than that of the one interface. 2. The plurality of interfaces include a parallel interface and an interface connected to a network, and the resource control unit sets the priority of the parallel interface based on the priority of the interface connected to the network. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is also set to a high value. 3. The plurality of interfaces include a parallel interface, a serial interface, and an interface connected to a network, and the resource control unit sets the priority of the parallel interface and the priority of the serial interface, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the priority is set higher than the priority of the interface connected to the network. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is a printer.