JP2004054656A - Network-corresponding image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network-corresponding image processing device that can increase the operational efficiency of a job reentry and increase accumulation efficiency for information. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing device connected to a communication network comprises job input means, job file temporary storage means, job executing means, job file control means, and job completion notifying means for inquiring, on completion of a job in execution, handling of a processed job file from a job source, and further comprises job file transfer means for transferring the job file to a device if transfer to the job source or another device is indicated, job file deleting means for deleting the job file if the inquiry by the job result inquiry means reveals indication of deletion from the job file temporarily storing means, and job file re-executing means for re-executing the job file if the inquiry by the job result inquiry means reveals indication of re-execution of the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network-compatible image processing apparatus that exchanges print processing, image processing, and the like via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a network-compatible image processing apparatus that exchanges print processing, image processing, and the like via a communication network, when an input job is stored in the apparatus, it is necessary to instruct a storage operation in advance when the job is input. In addition, a method is known in which, when an instruction to save data in the apparatus is not given, job data is automatically discarded at the same time as execution of the job is completed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional method, a storage instruction can be issued only when a job is input into the apparatus. Therefore, if a storage instruction is omitted at the time of submitting a job or reprinting is insufficient due to an incorrect setting of the number of copies, the same job must be re-input. There was a problem that the work efficiency was poor, such as the need to work.
[0004]
In addition, since a storage instruction was issued in the apparatus when the job was submitted, there was a time difference between the execution of the job and the storage in the storage device, and the user forgot that the information was stored in the apparatus. There was a problem that resources could not be used effectively.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a network-compatible image processing apparatus capable of improving the work efficiency of re-entering a job and improving the information storage efficiency. It is in.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus connected to a communication network, which performs processing such as image reading, printing, and conversion of PDL format data to a print image using packet data or the like via the communication network. A job input unit for inputting, a job file temporary storage unit for holding the job input by the job execution unit as a file in a temporary storage area, and interpreting the contents of the job file held by the job file temporary storage unit. A job execution unit for causing a controller to perform processing such as image reading, printing, and image data expansion; and a job file control for performing various restrictions on the job file such as a job file holding period and access restrictions in the job file temporary storage unit. Means and the job execution means. A job completion notifying means for inquiring of the job submitter about the handling of the job file which has been processed upon completion of the job being executed, and as a result of inquiring by the job completion notifying means, the transfer to the job submitter and another device is instructed. If the deletion is instructed from the job file temporary storage unit as a result of the inquiry made by the job file transfer unit that transfers the job file to the device and the job result inquiry unit, the corresponding job file is deleted. Job file deletion means for deleting, and job file re-execution means for re-executing the job file when re-execution of a job is instructed as a result of the inquiry by the job result inquiry means. I do.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) as an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0009]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a controller for controlling a multifunctional peripheral device (hereinafter, referred to as an MFP), and has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. Reference numeral 102 denotes a scanner engine, which is controlled by the controller 101.
[0010]
Reference numeral 103 denotes a laser beam printer engine, which is controlled by the controller 101. The laser beam printer engine 103 can use a finisher 104 to perform stapling (stapling) of recording paper output by the printer engine. The finisher 104 is also controlled by the controller 101.
[0011]
Reference numeral 105 denotes a network (Ethernet) interface, which provides the controller 101 with bidirectional communication through the interface. Also, by inquiring a Supervisor, which will be described later, from outside through the interface, it is possible to acquire the provided functions (maximum number of copies, PDL supporting finisher types, number of output BINs that can be specified, etc.). Reference numeral 106 denotes a user interface, which includes an LCD display and a keyboard, displays information from the controller 101, and transmits instructions from a user to the controller 101.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present embodiment.
[0013]
In FIG. 2, reference numerals 201 and 202 denote the multi-functional peripheral devices (MFPs) shown in FIG. The MFP 201 is connected to an MFP 202 and a Client PC 203 (information processing device) via an Ethernet (network interface cable) 204. The MFPs 201 and 202 and the Client PC 203 connected to the Ethernet 204 can exchange data over a network.
[0014]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the controller 101 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG.
[0015]
Inside the controller 101, a CPU 301 is connected via a bus 309 to a Memory (RAM) 302, an LCD display 303 and a keyboard 304, a ROM 310, and a DISK 311 that constitute a user interface (operation unit) 106.
[0016]
Various programs and data are stored in a DISK 311 (storage medium) such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, and are sequentially read out to a memory (RAM) 302 as needed and executed by the CPU 301. Note that various programs and data may be downloaded to the memory (RAM) 302 via the network interface cable 204.
[0017]
The LCD display 303 and the keyboard 304 constitute the user interface (operation unit) 106 shown in FIG. 1. The CPU 301 performs display by writing data to the LCD display 303, and the CPU 301 reads data from the keyboard 304. Input an instruction from the user.
[0018]
Further, a network interface connector 305 is connected to the bus 309, and corresponds to the network interface 105 shown in FIG. 1, and a network interface cable 204 shown in FIG. 2 is connected. The CPU 301 performs communication using the network interface 105 by reading or writing data from the network interface cable 204.
[0019]
Further, a laser beam printer engine 306, a finisher 307, and a scanner engine 308 are connected to the bus 309. These are the laser beam printer engine 103, the finisher 104, and the scanner engine 301 corresponding to the laser beam printer engine 103, the finisher 104, and the scanner 102 shown in FIG. By reading / writing data from / to this engine, engine operations such as print / scan and the like and various status acquisitions are performed. Note that the Laser Beam Printer Engine 306, the Finisher 307, and the Scanner Engine 308 exist as individual peripheral devices on a network instead of inside the MFP device, and the controller 101 may control them.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software (control program) configuration of the DISK 311 in the controller 101, and the software (control program) is executed by the CPU 301.
[0021]
A user interface driver 401 controls the LCD display 303 and the keyboard 304. Reference numeral 403 denotes a user interface manager (control program) which obtains input information from the user from the UI driver 401, transmits the information to a Supervisor (overall management manager) 405 which oversees the operation of the controller 101, and transmits the processing result of the controller 101. , Supervisor 405, and instructs the LCD display 303 to display a screen.
[0022]
Reference numeral 402 denotes a network interface driver (control program) which controls the network interface connector 305 and performs processing of a physical layer (physical packet) of a network packet, that is, extraction of a transport packet from a physical packet and conversion of a physical packet from a transport packet. Generate.
[0023]
Reference numeral 404 denotes a communication module such as TCP / IP / UDP / IP, which transmits information of a transport packet output from the network interface 402 to the Supervisor 405. Also, a transport packet is generated from the information of the Supervisor 405 and output to the network interface connector 305 via the network interface 402.
[0024]
Reference numeral 405 denotes a Supervisor (overall management manager) that comprehensively manages the operation of the controller 101, and stores data such as device identification information shown in FIG. 5 (attribute table) in the DISK 311 and prints the data shown in FIG. 6 (attribute table). The job manager 406, the scan job manager 408, and the copy job manager 407 refer to and change data such as the processing capacity held by the copy job manager 407 and perform user management based on FIG. 8 (user management table).
[0025]
A print job manager 406 controls printer resource management and job execution.
[0026]
Reference numeral 409 denotes a printer controller, which operates a printer device in response to a request from the print job manager.
[0027]
A copy job manager 407 manages copy resources and copy jobs.
[0028]
A scanner job manager 408 controls management of scanner resources and execution of a job.
[0029]
A scanner controller 410 operates the scanner device in response to a request from the scanner job manager.
[0030]
FIG. 5 shows data (attribute table) managed by the Supervisor 406, which is the general management manager, which is stored in the DISK 311.
[0031]
The attribute table includes an attribute ID 501 indicating a type of information, an access restriction 502 indicating a read / write restriction on the information, and an attribute value 503 indicating an actual value of the information. In the present embodiment, device identification information for specifying the device on the network interface cable 204, functions provided by the controller 101, user information for using the device, and the like are stored in a table format.
[0032]
FIG. 6 shows data (attribute table) managed by each job manager such as the print job manager 406, the copy job manager 407, and the scan job manager 408, which are stored in the disk 311.
[0033]
This attribute table has an attribute ID 601 indicating the type of information, an access restriction 602 indicating a read / write restriction on the information, and an attribute value 603 indicating an actual value of the information, similarly to the attribute table of the Supervisor in FIG. It consists of. In the present embodiment, the processing capacity and job management information of each manager are stored in the attribute table.
[0034]
FIG. 7 shows the internal structure of a job file processed by the print job manager 406, the copy job manager 407, and the scan job manager 408, and stores job file management information 710, job attribute information 720, and image data to be actually processed. The job file management information 710 and the job attribute information 720 further hold the type of information in attribute IDs 711 and 721, and store the values of the attribute ID in attribute values 712 and 722. .
[0035]
FIG. 8 is a user management table for the Supervisor 405 (overall management manager) to manage the operator who is the operator of the device.
[0036]
In FIG. 8, user authentication information for judging whether the device can be used is stored by a user ID 801 and a password 802, and the type of job that can be submitted for each user is stored by an available job type 803. A job file storage location 804 indicates a temporary storage location of the job file, and a job file storage method 805 stores all data in the job file. Alternatively, a method of storing a part of data in a job file has been described. Also, in the coping method 806 when the free space is insufficient, when the job file cannot be stored due to the shortage of the storage location, a method for securing the capacity (storage location) for storing the job file is set.
[0037]
This user management table may be stored in the MFP 201 or the MFP 202 individually, or may be collectively managed by devices on the network other than the MFP, such as the Client PC 203.
[0038]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of packet data when the MFP 201, the MFP 202, and the Client PC 203 exchange data via the network interface cable 204.
[0039]
In the figure, a command packet data 900 includes a packet header 901 indicating the head of data, a packet version 902 indicating a structure version of a data packet, a flag 903 indicating a packet characteristic, an operation code 904 indicating what operation is to be performed, and a data A block number 905 for identifying the order, a host ID 906 indicating a sender of the command packet data 900, a user ID 907 and a password 908 used for user authentication and job file storage, and a general reply used only for a reply packet. The status code 909 includes a status code 909 indicating a state and a parameter 910 having a format determined for each operation code 905.
[0040]
Also, Req. / Reply 911 indicates whether this packet indicates a work request or a work result, and Cont 912 indicates continuation information of the packet.
[0041]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow from job input to job file creation.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the print job manager 406, the copy job manager 407, and the scan job manager 408 perform the processing of this flow according to the job type.
[0043]
In step 1001, it is determined whether or not a job is to be submitted. In the present embodiment, the determination is made based on whether or not a whistle obStart medium indicating the start of job input is set in the operation code 904 of the packet data of FIG. 9 input from the Client PC 203 or the like.
[0044]
If it is determined in step 1001 that the operation is not a job input operation, the process proceeds to step 1008, where operations other than job input (for example, acquisition of device status) are processed, and then the present process ends.
[0045]
If a job input operation is instructed in step 1001, the process proceeds to step 1002, and the input job is stored in the memory.
[0046]
In step 1003, the completion of the job input is checked. In the present embodiment, the determination is made based on whether or not a whistle obEnd medium indicating the completion of job input is set in the operation code 904 of FIG.
[0047]
If it is determined in step 1003 that the operation is a job input completion operation, the flow advances to step 1004 to determine whether data conversion processing is necessary when saving the job file. Specifically, the storage method 804 of the job job file in the user management table in FIG. 8 is acquired from the User ID 907 in FIG. 9, and if saving as a print image is designated, the process proceeds to step 1009 and the job is input. A print image is created from the job data.
[0048]
Next, in step 1005, a limitation on the amount of data stored in the job file is determined. In the present embodiment, the storage method 904 of the job job file in the user management table in FIG. 8 is acquired from the User ID 907 in FIG. 9. After extracting necessary parts in step 1006, in step 1007, setting of job file management information 710 (for example, waiting for execution of a job file state, setting of User ID 907 to a job file creator, etc.) Is performed, and data is stored in the job attribute information 720 and the data section 730, followed by terminating the present process.
[0049]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of the job file storing process in step 1007 in FIG.
[0050]
In step 1101, the data amount of the job file created in steps 1006 and 1010 is calculated.
[0051]
In step 1102, the storage location 804 of the job file stored in the user management table of FIG. 8 is acquired from the User ID 907 of FIG.
[0052]
In step 1103, it is checked whether or not the storage location acquired in step 1102 has enough space to write the job file. If storable, the process proceeds to step 1104, where the job file is written, and the process ends normally.
[0053]
If it is determined in step 1103 that the job file cannot be stored due to lack of free space, the process proceeds to step 1105, and a method 806 for dealing with insufficient free space stored in the user management table of FIG. 8 is acquired.
[0054]
In step 1106, the coping method acquired in step 1105 is checked. If deletion of the job file with the old creation date is instructed, the process proceeds to step 1107, and among the job files in the storage destination acquired in step 1102, Delete the job file with the oldest creation date.
[0055]
If it is determined in step 1106 that the file is other than the deletion from the job file with the old creation date, it is checked in step 1108 whether or not the file whose access frequency is small is deleted. If deletion of a file with a small access count is specified, the process proceeds to step 1109, and a job file with a small access count is deleted from the storage destination acquired in step 1102.
[0056]
In step 1108, if the instruction is other than deletion based on the number of accesses, the job file is deleted by another means (for example, all deletion).
[0057]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of the job execution process. In the present embodiment, the print job manager 406, the copy job manager 407, and the scan job manager 408 perform the processing of this flow according to the job type.
[0058]
In the figure, in step 1201, it is checked whether there is a job file existing in the device.
[0059]
In step 1201, if a job file exists in the device, the process proceeds to step 1202, where the status of the job file is acquired, and it is checked whether there is a job file waiting to be executed.
[0060]
If there is a job file waiting to be executed in step 1202, the process advances to step 1203 to instruct the controller to execute the job file.
[0061]
In step 1204, it is checked whether the job file instructed to be executed in step 1203 has been processed. If the processing of the job file has been completed, the process proceeds to step 1205.
[0062]
In step 1205, it is checked whether or not the source of the job file is its own device. In this embodiment, the input source is identified by comparing whether the input source device ID stored in the job file management information 710 in FIG. 7 is the same as the model name in the supervisor attribute table in FIG.
[0063]
If it is determined in step 1205 that the job file has been generated in the own apparatus, the process advances to step 1211 to delete the job file and end the processing.
[0064]
If it is determined in step 1205 that the job file has been input by another device, the process advances to step 1206 to acquire the input source device ID stored in the job file management information 710 in FIG.
[0065]
In step 1207, the job source that is obtained in step 1206 is notified that the job has been completed, and an instruction from the job input source to transfer the completed job to another device or to re-execute the job is issued. Wait to be heard. In the present embodiment, when there is no instruction to transfer to another device or re-execute a job for a certain period of time, it is assumed that deletion of a job file has been instructed.
[0066]
In step 1208, post-processing of the completed job file is performed based on the post-processing method instructed in step 1207, and the process ends.
[0067]
If the status of the job file is not waiting for execution in step 1202, the process advances to step 1205 to check the expiration date of the job file.
[0068]
If it is determined in step 1205 that the expiration date of the job file has expired, the process advances to step 1206 to delete the job file.
[0069]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed flow of post-processing of the job file in step 1208 in FIG.
[0070]
In the figure, in step 1301, it is checked whether or not the post-processing method of the job file acquired in step 1207 is a transfer instruction to another device.
[0071]
In step 1301, if transfer to another device is instructed, a job is input to the specified transfer destination based on the contents of the processed job file using the packet data in FIG. Then, the present process ends.
[0072]
If it is determined in step 1301 that transfer to another device has not been instructed, the process advances to step 1303 to check whether a re-execution instruction has been issued.
[0073]
If re-execution of the job file has been instructed in step 1303, the process advances to step 1304 to check whether the re-execution counter of the job file has reached the upper limit. In the present embodiment, the determination is made by comparing the reuse counter stored in the job file management information 710 shown in FIG. 7 with the reuse upper limit counter.
[0074]
If the upper limit has not been reached in step 1304, the flow advances to step 1305 to increment the reuse counter held by the job file management information 710 by +1 (addition).
[0075]
A step 1306 checks whether or not an update of the job attribute information 720 has been instructed when the instruction to re-execute the job has been issued in the step 1207.
[0076]
If it is determined in step 1306 to update the job attribute information 720, the process advances to step 1307 to update the job attribute information 720.
[0077]
Next, in step 1307, the process waits for the status of the job file in the job file management information 710, and then terminates the processing.
[0078]
If it is determined in step 1303 that the instruction is not a re-execution instruction, the process advances to step 1308 to check whether an instruction to delete a job file has been issued. If a deletion instruction has been issued in step 1308, the flow advances to step 1309 to delete the job file.
[0079]
If it is not a deletion instruction in step 1308, the process proceeds to step 1310, and after the instruction to continue the temporary storage of the job file is made by changing the expiration date of the job file in the job file management information 710 shown in FIG. Then, the present process ends.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by retaining information necessary for a job in a job file, when re-executing a submitted job, for example, it is only necessary to specify the job file. It is possible to shorten the time required for re-inputting a job, such as being executable, to reduce the load on network resources required for re-inputting a job, and to make effective use of network resources.
[0081]
Also, by inquiring of the job submitter about the handling of the completed job file, one job is distributed to a plurality of apparatuses (for example, when a job having 100 copies is distributed and processed by two apparatuses by 50 copies each). ), The effect of facilitating synchronization between workers (between devices) is obtained.
[0082]
Further, the job file transfer means enables the backup of the job file to a device having a large-capacity storage device, thereby preventing the creation of a job file having the same contents for each device. And the time required for creating a job file can be reduced.
[0083]
Further, by monitoring the access to the job file, it is possible to prevent the waste of the resource due to the obsolescence of the job file.
[0084]
By restricting access, it is possible to restrict distribution of data protected by copyright, such as preventing unauthorized use of data stored in a job file.
[0085]
By allocating the storage area of the job file for each user or for each device, it is possible to smoothly operate the device resources such as not allocating the storage space to the user who uses the device less frequently, and to effectively use the device resources. Utilization becomes possible.
[0086]
By allowing the user to select data to be stored in the job file, an apparatus with a small storage capacity can be effectively used for the apparatus resources, such as saving the data in a PDL format with a small data amount.
[0087]
In addition, by saving the print image data, restrictions on hardware resources such as a PDL board can be eliminated, and compatibility of information between devices can be improved, and data diversification can be improved.
[0088]
Further, by limiting the data to be stored, information that is not reused can be prevented from being stored in the job file, thereby making it possible to prevent device resources from being damaged by useless information and to effectively utilize the device resources.
[0089]
Since part of the information stored in the job file in the device can be changed, when changing print information such as the number of copies and whether or not double-sided printing is performed, the value of the job file must be changed instead of resubmitting the print job. , Etc., the re-input of the job due to the change of the print information can be reduced, and the work time due to the change of the job attribute can be greatly reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a Supervisor 405 illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a job manager.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a job file.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a user management table.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of a command packet.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a job input process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a job file storage process.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating job execution processing.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating post-processing of a job file.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Controller
102 Scanner Engine
103 Laser beam printer engine
104 Finisher
105 Network Interface
106 User Interface
201, 202 Multi-function peripheral (MFP)
203 ClientPC
204 Ethernet
301 CPU
302 Memory (RAM)
303 LCD display
304 keyboard
305 Network interface connector
310 ROM
311 DISK

Claims (5)

In an image processing device connected to a communication network,
Job input means for inputting processing such as image reading, printing, and conversion of PDL format data into a print image by packet data or the like via a communication network;
A job file temporary storage unit that holds the job input by the job execution unit as a file in a temporary storage area;
Job execution means for interpreting the contents of the job file held by the job file temporary storage means, and causing the controller to perform processing such as image reading, printing, and image data expansion;
A job file control unit for performing various restrictions on the job file, such as a job file retention period and an access restriction, in the job file temporary storage unit;
A job completion notifying unit that inquires of a job submitter about handling of a job file that has been processed upon completion of a running job,
As a result of the inquiry by the job completion notifying means, when transfer to a job input source and another device is instructed, a job file transfer means for transferring a job file to the device,
As a result of the inquiry made by the job result inquiry means, when deletion is instructed from the job file temporary storage means, a job file deletion means for deleting the corresponding job file,
A network-compatible image processing apparatus comprising: a job file re-execution unit that re-executes a job file when re-execution of a job is instructed as a result of the inquiry by the job result inquiry unit. An access status monitoring unit that monitors an access status to held data in the job file temporary storage unit;
In the access status monitoring means, for a job file which has not been accessed for a certain period of time, a remaining file arrangement for organizing the job file according to the processing method (automatic deletion or deletion confirmation and deletion) set by the job file control means. Means,
A reuse limiter configured to limit a reuse of a job file in accordance with a limit value (an upper limit of the number of accesses) set in the job file control unit;
The network-compatible image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A storage capacity limiting unit configured to specify a storage capacity available for each user or for the entire apparatus in the job file temporary storage unit;
If the job file cannot be temporarily stored due to, for example, reaching the storage capacity limit value, the user may be prompted for the processing method (deletion from an old job file or deletion from a job file with a small number of accesses) set by the job file control unit. Resource management means for securing a storage area for each or from the entire apparatus;
The network-compatible image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A job file control means for storing job images in a plurality of formats such as a bitmap image obtained by converting an image as input by the job input means or PDL data into a print image, and a job file format designating means; ,
A job file storage information limiting unit that sets whether data held in a job file is limited to all or a part of the information input by the job input unit;
The network-compatible image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: 2. The network-compatible image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said job file reexecuting means includes a job file print attribute resetting means for resetting print information such as the number of print copies and a print layout stored in the job file. apparatus.

Images